CLEVELAND— First baseman Josh Bell has agreed to a two-year, $33 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians, with an opt-out clause after the first season.
Bell, 30, signed with the Nationals on a one-year, $10 million contract in March and enjoyed a career year through the first four months, batting .301 and 14 home runs. But his production dropped off and ended up losing some playing time in postseason.
Bell appeared in 10 playoff games as the Padres advanced to the National League Championship Series. He hit two runs and finished the series with a .250 average and drove in five runs.
The native of Irving, Texas was the No. 61 pick of the 2011 MLB draft by the Pirates. He debuted in the majors on July 8, 2016, and spent five seasons with Pittsburgh. In 2019, Bell had his career-best season, hitting 37 homers and 116 RBIs.
His switch-hitting capabilities at the plate will add a much needed layer to the Cleveland batting lineup.
This will be Bell's eighth season in the majors and first in the American League after spending his previous seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres
Cleveland defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild-card series before losing in five games to the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
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