Five Best Potential Trading Partners for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Josh Bell

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have one of the most talented cores in the game. Most of their starting infield is made up of names whose dads were among the best during the 90’s: Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio. But one spot that might be still in the air come 2021 Opening Day is first base or designated hitter.

Vlad Jr. isn’t projected to be a third baseman long-term. Although he has a rocket arm, having a 60 arm rating by FanGraphs, he somehow registered numbers that looked just as bad as Colin Moran. Guerrero ranked last in UZR (-9.4), third worst in DRS (-9), and UZR/150 (-14.6). His -16 outs above average was the second worst in the MLB, only passing Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario. So needless to say, Guerrero’s future will likely be at first base or designated hitter.

But who could pair with Guerrero Jr. at first or DH? Josh Bell. Bell would provide another very powerful bat in Toronto’s line-up. Currently, the team’s designated hitter is Rowdy Tellez, who although was a decent prospect a few seasons ago, struggled when he was given regular playing time during the 2019 season. While they probably wouldn’t be able to get prospect Nate Pearson out of Bell, I could see top 75 prospect Simeon Woods Richardson being brought up in talks. Richardson, who was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Mets for Marcus Stroman last season, posted very strong numbers. Those include a 3.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 2.23 FIP in 106.2 innings of work.

Atlanta Braves

With the designated hitter being implemented sooner rather than later, most NL teams would probably be left without a good answer for DH. The Braves could be one of them. Bell obviously would not push defensive standout and MVP candidate Freddie Freeman out of first base as he is one of the best defenders at first in the game. Since 2017, Freeman has had +11 DRS, making him a top six defensive first baseman in the league.

But at designated hitter, who would currently play there? One answer could be third baseman/corner outfielder, and former top prospect, Austin Riley. But Riley was a well above average defender last season posting a +3 DRS and +2.7 UZR in the outfield. At third base, Riley had +1 DRS and +0.3 UZR. So it would not be the brightest idea to place someone with that kind of defensive prowess at designated hitter.

The Braves still have a deep farm system, even after many graduated prospect status. One of the most interesting prospects the Pirates could target is Ian Anderson. The pitching prospect is considered a top 50 prospect, and did very well at Double-A last season. In 111 innings, the 21-year-old pitched to the tune of a 2.68 ERA, 2.91 FIP, and struck out batters at a strong 11.9 per nine rate. While he isn’t the best control pitcher, he kept walks to a sub-4 rate at 3.8 per nine. Home runs have never been an issue for Anderson either, indicated by his 0.65 HR/9 in 2019. The right hander did struggle in Triple-A, but it was a small 24.2 inning sample size.

Another prospect that could also be in the deal is catcher William Contreras. The 22-year-old did struggle with the bat last season, but has a solid track record in the batter’s box in the past. But the real attraction to Contreras is his glove. FanGraphs gives the prospect a future fielding grade of 55, and an arm grade of 60.

San Francisco Giants

Although the Giants don’t have a handful of big time prospects, they have a handful of high ceiling and/or low floor guys in their system. By the start of 2021, the Giants could be a real threat. By then, Joey Bart should take over at catcher, with Hunter Bishop and Heliot Ramos joining the big league line-up as well.

But first base and/or DH could be an issue for the Giants. By then, current first baseman Brandon Belt will be 32, and on the last year of his contract. However, he seems to be on a decline. Last year, the veteran had posted a sub-100 OPS+, the first time in his career. While Belt did smack 17 long balls, tying the second most of his career, his slugging percentage of just .403 was the worst of his career. Former MVP Buster Posey will likely get more playing time at first, but that still does not answer what they will do when the designated hitter is implemented. Who takes over there? Belt’s bat doesn’t play well enough to stick there, and Bell would be a big time upgrade. Right now, that answer is still up in the air. Alex Dickerson could slot in DH, that is if he can keep up his production from 2019 that started to slip in the final month of 2019.

If the Giants were to trade for Bell, they could have the pieces to do so. They have a handful of interesting, high upside pitchers like Sean Hjelle, and left hander Seth Corry. Both of these pitchers would definitely be in talks if the Bucs were to talk to the Giants.

Hjelle stands at 6 foot-11 (yes, 6-foot-11), and pitched to the tune of a 3.23 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 2.85 FIP in 143.2 innings of work across three different levels of the minor leagues. However, the highest level the tall right hander has reached is Double-A. Corry on the other hand posted a 3.59 ERA and 3.38 FIP, but comes with some control concerns. The top 100 prospect had 32 walks in 57.2 innings of work

Texas Rangers

The Rangers current first base situation is not pretty. 25-year-old Ronald Guzman has not even come close to living up to the expectations that come with being a top 100 prospect. In 737 plate appearances, Guzman has a career.229/.307/.415 line, and an 85 OPS+. While his defense is decent with a +6 DRS, the position requires more offensive production. Danny Santana could take over at first base after a breakout 2019 season, but he nearly struck out 30% of the time to oppose a 4.9% walk rate, all while carrying a .353 batting average on balls in play. Plus, he is seen as the team’s primary center field option for the 2020 season.

Designated hitter could also be an issue. In the event that first base gets really bad and the Rangers need somebody to play it, slugger Willie Calhoun could slot over at first base if need be. However, having Bell as the team’s primary first baseman could really give them the power bat they need.

The Rangers have a very interesting piece that the Pirates would likely bring up: Sam Huff. The catching prospect slashed a strong .278/.335/.509 in 519 plate appearances (114 in Low-A, 405 in High-A) with 28 long balls. Huff is mainly known for his power, as he slugged 18 home runs in 2018, and has a raw power grade of 70 with a future of 80 by FanGraphs. Although he isn’t the best fielder, he does decent enough. MLB.com gives him a 50 fielding grade, and caught 48% of all runners trying to take an extra base on him.

San Diego Padres

The Padres’ current first base situation is not the best (it is far from it actually), and their DH situation would be even worse off if the position were to be brought to the NL. Currently, Eric Hosmer is their first baseman. But so far that contract has been a sunk cost. In the first two years in a Friars’ jersey, the former Royals’ All-Star has hit .259/.316/.412. It’s not far-fetched to say that Hosmer has been one of the worst batters in the game in the past two years. His 93 wRC+ ties him with Alex Gordon, and places him 95th among 114 batters with at least 1,000 plate appearances. In terms of OPS, he ranks 93rd of 114 qualified batters. Hosmer is still owed a boatload of cash at $102 million across the next 6 seasons. He does have an opt out after 2022, but we know that isn’t going to happen.

The team’s other options at first are not great either. Another sunk cost in Wil Myers who has plenty of experience at first, but he struggled greatly last season. He posted a 95 OPS+, and will be paid $22.5 million each of the next three seasons. Switch hitter, and former number one overall prospect Jurickson Profar could be an option too, but he has yet to prove himself at the Major League level. The implementation of the DH would create just another hole in the Padres line-up.

But it’s a good thing the Padres have a deep farm system, and a few contracts that a team could take in order to get a higher prospect. If the Pirates were to trade Bell, and take on a contract like Hosmer’s, they would have to get a good prospect in return. That’s where top 50 prospect Luis Campusano would come into play. Last year, Campusano hit for an outstanding .325/.396/.509 line with 15 home runs and 31 doubles in 487 plate appearances at High-A ball. His defense has also been given decent ratings, with MLB.com giving it a current grade of 50, and a 60 arm grade. The Pirates could also get an intriguing arm in the deal, like Ryan Weathers, Cal Quantrill, Adrian Morejon, and Michel Baez. All four of which were once highly regarded prospects in the Padres system.