North Shore Nine

There have been reports from multiple sources that Free-Agent-To-Be, Josh Bell, will be on the block this upcoming deadline. This is nothing new for Bell who has been on 5 different teams over the last 5 years. With the Pirates fighting for a playoff spot and Ben Cherington stating the team will look to add a bat, would a Bell reunion make sense for the Pirates?

In 2023, Josh Bell was traded to the Miami Marlins for former 16th overall selection Kahlil Watson. Watson was the #1 prospect in the Marlins’ system in 2022 but had fallen to 13th in 2023 before he was traded. To start 2024, Watson ranked 14th in the Cleveland system and is playing poorly in AA. This may be important because it helps to determine a reasonable cost to acquire Bell who has less time left on his contract than when he was dealt to the Marlins.

As seen in the stat lines above, Bell is putting up very similar, if not slightly better, numbers this year as to when he was dealt. Again, it is important to note that instead of having 1.5 years left on his contract he has .5 years. This does mean in typical discussions a lesser return should be awarded. When Bell was dealt, Watson had an Overall grade of 45 as a prospect. This, as a reminder, is a grade between average and below average and was a step down from where he was drafted (50). Now the Marlins might want to recoup a similar level prospect if they do decide to deal Bell, but considering the market of players out there, it seems unlikely that would happen even in a market saturated with potential buyers.

Also considering the Pirates’ lack of gambling with prospects in trade, it is highly doubtful that if they were to enquire about Bell they would talk about anyone in their Top 20. The exception could be a player like Jase Bowen, the Pirates’ 19th-best prospect who is already 23 and might have a hard time making the Pirates’ roster moving forward. Chances are the Marlins might want a younger player, so prospects like Emmanuel Terrero or Jesus Castillo might be of interest to them. The point is, Josh Bell would be a nice bat and a good story coming back to Pittsburgh. But at the same time, not someone to break the bank for as he is about to be a free agent. However, if the price is right (a lower level non-Top 20 prospect), then it is worth ringing that Bell one more time.