Winning a pennant in Major League Baseball is never easy. Winning back-to-back pennants is even harder.
The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't had the smoothest road throughout the 2024 season, but they are firmly entrenched in playoff contention now. After Monday night's walk-off win, the D-Backs are just half a game out of playoff position in the National League.
However, Monday night was not without its setbacks, as first baseman Christian Walker, one of the NL's top power hitters this season, left early with oblique tightness. And while it is unknown how much time Walker might miss, Arizona wasted no time finding a backup plan.
Tuesday, the Diamondbacks acquired first baseman Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations. The deal was first reported by Craig Mish of the Miami Herald.
Bell was placed on waivers on Saturday by Miami, a clear indication he was available for a minimal price. Bell is making $16.5 million this season, the last on the two-year deal he originally signed with the Cleveland Guardians.
Arizona is also reportedly covering a portion of Bell's remaining salary, according to Mish.
Bell, 31, has had a quiet year at the plate thus far. He had an .818 OPS for Miami after arriving there at last year's deadline, but has just a .699 in 104 games this season.
Bell will appear for his sixth team upon joining the D-Backs, and his fifth in the past three seasons. His best season came back in 2019, when he made his lone All-Star appearance with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Given that he only cost them cash, Bell is a low-stakes addition for Arizona, who may have little use for him when Walker returns. But perhaps a change of scenery could help restore Bell to the best version of himself, which would be a lift to any lineup in MLB.
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