5 players who could sign at the 2022 MLB Winter Meetings

By Kevin Henry | Nov 29, 2022

Jun 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run scoring third baseman Justin Turner (10) in the second inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Bell #24 of the San Diego Padres runs the bases after his first inning two run home run against the New York Mets during game one of the NL Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

MLB Winter Meetings: Josh Bell

With Jose Abreu inking a three-year deal with the Houston Astros and Anthony Rizzo returning to the New York Yankees, the list of top-tier free agents at first base has shrunk significantly very early in the offseason. That’s good news for Josh Bell, who is looking to bring his switch-hitting talents to another team in 2023 after being part of the blockbuster deadline trade that brought him and Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres from the Washington Nationals last season.

The 30-year-old Bell is anxious to put that trade to San Diego in the rearview mirror as he slashed just .192/.316/.271 in 210 plate appearances after donning a Padres uniform. Wanting to move forward, look for Bell to be anxious to ink with a new team. And, with the first base market narrowing, teams that are looking to improve at first base (such as the Chicago Cubs or San Francisco Giants) could be ready to pounce on Bell as the Winter Meetings begin.

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