MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have filled one of their most obvious needs. Minnesota has agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with a mutual option for 2027 with free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell, according to sources on Monday.
The move adds a veteran slugger capable of playing one of the few lineup spots where the Twins did not already have an established starter. The club has not confirmed the deal.
Bell, a switch-hitter, posted a .237/.325/.417 slash line with the Nationals in 2025, good for a 110 OPS+. Twins first basemen were among the least productive in baseball last year, with a combined .240/.307/.371 line – the .678 combined OPS ranked 25th among the 30 Major League teams.
If he starts at first, Bell would be the fifth Opening Day starter at the position for the Twins in as many years. He’ll join a list that includes Miguel Sanó (2022), Joey Gallo ('23), Carlos Santana ('24) and Ty France ('25). However, Bell spent the vast majority of his games this past season as a DH, playing 33 games (32 starts) at first in 2025.
The Twins signed France late last winter to a non-guaranteed deal, and he served as their primary first baseman until he was dealt to Toronto at the Trade Deadline. Kody Clemens moved into the spot after France was dealt. This move likely returns Clemens to a utility role, where he was valuable for Minnesota in the first half.
Bell, who has become somewhat of a journeyman slugger as a popular Trade Deadline target, appeared in 140 games for the Nationals in 2025, his first season since '21 in which he spent the entire season playing for one team. And it was one of his best performances in years by some key metrics.
Bell's 47% hard-hit rate was his highest since 2021, while his .497 expected slugging percentage was his highest since 2019. He clubbed 22 homers, tied for his most since 2021, while his .747 OPS was his highest over a full season since 2022.
But even when he's not slugging, Bell has the ability to keep the line moving with his on-base skills. His 10.7% walk rate in 2025 was above league average (8.4%), while his 16.5% strikeout rate was significantly better than league average (22%).
He finished the season strong, too. Over his last 20 games, Bell hit .339 with six homers and a 1.083 OPS. That included a four-hit, two-homer, six-RBI game against the Marlins on Sept. 8.
While Bell is a switch-hitter, he was much more productive from the left side in 2025. He had an .804 OPS batting lefty, as opposed to .552 as a righty.