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Josh Bell has provided the Minnesota Twins with a steady presence in the middle of their lineup throughout the 2026 season, but with the offseason approaching, the organization will have to decide whether he's done enough to earn another year in Minnesota. He's been a solid hitter, slashing .254/.316/.419 with 20 home runs in 605 plate appearances, primarily from the designated hitter spot. He struggled early in the season with a 73 wRC+ through the end of May. Since June 1, though, Bell has a 125 wRC+, with 15 of his 20 homers and a sturdy .281/.345/.471 line. He's famous for being good for just half of each season, but this is a 381-plate appearance stretch over which he's been very good. Replacing that kind of production wouldn't be easy.
However, Bell's value is tied entirely to his offense. He barely played first base this season, only appearing in 141 innings at the position while it has been held down primarily by Royce Lewis, Kody Clemens, and Victor Caratini. As a designated hitter, his full-season line is pretty much average, relative to the league's performance at that spot (.241/.325/.414), so to believe he actively makes you better, he would have to be the good version of himself from the last few months.
More importantly, retaining a full-time DH may limit the Twins’ flexibility in an unwelcome way. Byron Buxton will be coming off hip surgery, which may mean he needs time to ramp up to full-time center field duties—or that he never returns to them. The outfield is crowded even without Buxton, with Emannuel Rodríguez, Walker Jenkins, and Luke Keaschall projected to start there in 2027. Keaschall has struggled defensively at every spot the sport has invented. Some time at designated hitter for Keaschall may be best next year to get the most out of him. Between Keaschall, Buxton, Hendry Mendez, Gabriel González and Aaron Sabato, at the moment, the team has no shortage of bat-first or bat-only players. Bell would have to be shoehorned in, at the expense of someone else.
The other aspect Bell brings is a veteran presence. While it may seem like that doesn’t matter much, Derek Shelton has raved about Bell, specifically citing the stability he brings to the clubhouse. With what should be a younger Twins team next year, that may be what Minnesota requires, with the uncertainty around Buxton’s start date and Ryan Jeffers headed elsewhere via free agency. Bell’s experience could be extremely valuable to younger players such as Rodríguez, Jenkins, and Kaelen Culpepper.
Bell’s contract has a $10-million mutual option for 2027, with a $1.25-million buyout attached. Virtually all mutual options are declined by one side; this one is more likely to turned down by the team. The 2027 version of the Minnesota Twins should be focused on playing their young players as much as possible. Bell may be a better bat then most of the Twins’ younger talent right now, but if they're going to spend what it requires to keep him, they should do so on a player who more ineluctably (and more flexibly) upgrades the lineup.
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