MLB rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Pirates slugger Josh Bell
1. Cleveland Indians
The Indians are in a weird spot this offseason. The team has to make a decision on star shortstop Francisco Lindor and the likely reality is him being traded.
Add in Carlos Santana hitting free agency and the Indians are cutting salary at a rapid pace. Would they look to add someone like Bell?
The money is certainly going to be there if both Lindor and Santana are gone. Spotrac projects Bell to make $6 million in his second year of arbitration and that is a price tag the Indians can afford without an issue. That also gives the team a replacement at first base and at least puts on the guise of trying to compete even with all the subtractions.
One name fans may bring up is that of Bobby Bradley. He has had limited reps in Cleveland and may get a shot to play a good amount at first base with Santana gone. However, he is still only 24 years old and the Indians could also switch him and Bell back and forth at first base and DH.
Next. Indians: 3 potential replacements for Francisco Lindor. dark
Bell would be a younger and cheaper replacement for Santana and if the Indians are bad in 2020 and 2021, he can be moved again for even more pieces. His value new should mean the Indians at least make a call given the money that will be available.