SF Giants: Why first baseman Josh Bell could be a trade target

The San Francisco Giants could use some lineup help with all of the injuries they have had to deal with. Switch-hitting slugger Josh Bell of the Nationals makes sense as a first baseman and designated hitter who could add some pop to the lineup.

SF Giants: Why first baseman Josh Bell could be a trade target

With injuries to left-handed hitters Brandon Belt and LaMonte Wade Jr., two of the key contributors to the success of the San Francisco Giants in 2021, the lineup for the Giants has struggled at times. Although both players seem on track to return fairly soon, the Giants may still benefit from making a move to acquire a bat with power from the left side of the plate.

That leads to the Giants looking at teams in a position to sell before this year's trade deadline. The Washington Nationals are a prime candidate to do so as they are well under .500 at this point in the season.

One of the bright spots on their team this year has been Bell. Bell is slashing .296/.369/.417 (129 OPS+) with five home runs, 31 RBI, and 29 runs in 206 plate appearances.

In his career he has faired much better from the left-handed side of the plate, hitting .273/.358/.483 with 88 homers and 321 RBI against right-handed pitching. That is compared to his less impressive numbers of .238/.330/.413 as a right-handed batter.

The Giants could use Bell's power in the middle of their lineup. Even when Brandon Belt and LaMonte Wade return to the field, Bell is still a perfect guy to have in the DH slot. Imagine a Giants lineup with Mike Yastrzemski, Joc Pederson, Brandon Crawford, Belt, Wade Jr. and Bell against a right-handed starter. That is a lot of left-handed power for one lineup.

Bell would not be easy to acquire though. While he is only signed through the end of this season by the Nationals, they will likely still want a solid prospect or two in return for the slugger. But this sort of deal may still be in favor of the Giants as they would be getting a proven hitter who would add immediate impact to their lineup.

The Giants need to make some moves if they want to go from being mediocre to being contenders in 2022, and acquiring Josh Bell via trade may be a good place to start.