Yankees named potential trade destination for $33 million switch-hitter

The New York Yankees have risen to the top of the AL East this season, aided by Juan Soto’s offensive effect and unexpected contributions from Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera.

However, veteran Anthony Rizzo, a three-time All-Star, has not demonstrated the slugging power that the organization had hoped for, batting just.240/.313/.307 in 75 at-bats thus far. His OPS is currently at its lowest point since his rookie season, and if he does not improve offensively, the organization may look to trade for help at first base.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report proposed the Yankees as a trade partner with the Miami Marlins to acquire slugger Josh Bell as Rizzo’s replacement.

“With the Marlins off to a disastrous start in 2024, there’s a good chance that Bell — who is in the final season of a two-year, $33 million deal — will be on the move again this summer,” Kelly said in a statement. “Bell could also be a fit for the Yakees if Rizzo and/or Giancarlo Stanton don’t heat up.”

Former Silver Slugger Josh Bell Could Be a Midseason Boost for the New York Yankees

In nine big-league seasons, Bell has a.258/.346/.451 batting line, earning a Silver Slugger Award in 2022 and an All-Star selection in 2019. So far in 2024, his bat does not appear to be an upgrade over Rizzo’s, as he has hit just.200/.300/.329 with two home runs and seven RBI, but the switch hitter has a history of reviving teams in the middle of the season, and his bat started off cold last season before heating up significantly.

“Josh Bell has played for quite a few of the more small-budget teams in the sport, and when those clubs aren’t contending, they tend to shed payroll, which Bell has often found himself on the wrong end of,” he said. “For the second year in a row, Bell’s bat is extremely cool to begin the season. However, he had an OPS just shy of.800 in the second half of 2023, assisting the offensively challenged Marlins in making the playoffs for only the fourth time in franchise history.

The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins Seem Open to Midseason Trade Discussions

As the Yankees attempt to put a poor 2023 season behind them and return to the playoffs this season, it appears that midseason trades are possible if general manager Brian Cashman sees an opportunity to improve the squad.

And, for their part, the Marlins look to be open to almost any opportunity to clear payroll and rebuild for the future, especially after trading veteran Jon Berti to the Yankees.

“No, it is not too early to envision the Miami Marlins as a trade-deadline seller, not when they have already moved one veteran player and entertained offers for some of their biggest names,” Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin wrote in The Athletic. “If their play does not improve, first-year general manager Peter Bendix almost certainly will be more inclined to dismantle his roster.”

If the Yankees wind up pursuing Bell, they may face competition at the deadline. Kelly mentioned the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins as potential landing locations for the slugger, but the Cubs appear to have found their first baseman of the present and future in Michael Busch.