Potential Houston Astros Trade Adds Former All-Star First Baseman

The Houston Astros could be in the market for another bat before the MLB trade deadline.

May 20, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Josh Bell (9) hits a walk-off single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the tenth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros have fought back from a terrible start to the season and are squarely in contention for the playoffs.

With a new outlook on the season, comes a new approach to the MLB trade deadline. After people contemplated them becoming sellers, it quickly became clear that they will be buyers.

One of the roster's big question marks is still first base. Jon Singleton has had his best season and Jose Abreu looks close to returning to the majors, but that group doesn't inspire much confidence for the post-season.

One of the top players at the position that will become available for trade is Miami Marlins slugger Josh Bell.

Bell has turned what was a nightmare season into being what could be an attractive trade piece for a team that needs another bat in their lineup.

On the season, the switch-hitter is slashing .228/.312/.358. Those numbers leave a bit to be desired. During the beginning stretch of the season when Miami was 6-24, he was struggling heavily as was everyone on the roster. As the team has seemingly hit their stride over the last two weeks, Bell has turned things around.

In the month of May, Bell is slashing .296/.370/.457. He’s hitting the ball much harder, a near 10% raise in hard-hit rate from April to May. Despite his walk rate going down and strikeout rate slightly rising, he’s having much more success at the plate and is looking much more like the player that the league has seen over the past couple of seasons. The reality for what he will likely be is somewhere in the middle of the two halves of his year so far, which is a fine player and good addition.

Bell has become a trade deadline regular. He’s already played for five teams since 2020 and has been traded each of the last two seasons. It makes sense, though, as he has ended up on non-competitive teams and a power-hitting switch-hitter will always have interest from contenders at the deadline.

The biggest problem with the 31-year-old is his contract. He’s on the books for $16.5 million this year, which is expensive for a streaking player. The deal ends after this season, so it is a rental. When the Marlins traded away Luis Arraez earlier this season, though, they still took on the brunt of his money for 2024. This will likely be brought up in negotiations for Bell.

Given his uneven year at the plate and high price tag, he’ll likely be relatively cheap in terms of the prospects that it will take to acquire him. It’ll likely take a middle-of-the-road bat or two to acquire him.