Why Bell fits the Guardians’ offense so well
This story was excerpted from Mandy Bell’s Guardians Beat e-newsletter. To learn the total e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it frequently in your inbox.
The Guardians have been assured that they’d the facility bat they wanted to maintain a house run menace in the midst of the lineup after they left Spring Training earlier this 12 months. Franmil Reyes was able to go from a hot-and-cold contributor to a reliable cleanup man.
Instead, his efficiency was so underwhelming that he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus and designated for project at the start of August.
It was then that the Guardians knew they wanted to discover a bat to interchange what their hopes have been for Reyes. The group had no drawback gamers who might serve solely as a delegated hitter, assuming they’d have the ability to make extra contact than Reyes did within the first half of the season. But Cleveland enjoys the flexibleness of getting completely different gamers (particularly José Ramírez) rotate via the DH spot to get a semi-day off each every now and then. So, a slugger who can play someplace within the area is the best state of affairs.
Enter Josh Bell.
The Guardians haven’t confirmed the reported two-year deal with free agent Bell that broke throughout the Winter Meetings earlier this week, however the 30-year-old 1B/DH already took to Twitter, expressing his pleasure to be in “The Land.” Assuming all of the advantageous particulars are agreed upon, Bell will attempt to fill a gaping gap in Cleveland’s lineup in 2023.
For a lineup that’s notably younger however carries an incredible quantity of promise, Bell might be an amazing match, bringing extra of a veteran presence to the clubhouse. I requested a handful of individuals — most of whom have been concerned with the Padres’ group in some capability — and none might discover a dangerous phrase to say about Bell. The two-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee needs to be an ideal match on this close-knit group.
Most necessary, his bat can deliver this thrilling (and scrappy) lineup to a different degree. Let’s have a look at three stats that show simply that:
1. Guardians had the worst DH manufacturing in 2022
There’s actually no place to go however up. With Josh Naylor nonetheless anticipated to get some reps at first base, there’s little doubt Bell will see time because the group’s DH — a spot that produced a mere 64 wRC+, which ranked worst within the Majors. Cleveland had the second-worst DH OPS and slugging share and hit the fewest dwelling runs (eight) by a landslide of all 30 golf equipment. For a place that’s sole objective is to supply offense, the Guardians hardly acquired any. The bar isn’t excessive, however Bell ought to simply be extra productive out of this spot for Cleveland in 2023.
Yes, 2019 was a very long time in the past (which appears bizarre to say). But this nonetheless reveals a sort of energy that Cleveland has hardly ever seen in current reminiscence is feasible. In ’21, Bell launched 27 lengthy balls, which the ‘22 Guardians lineup would’ve gladly welcomed. Bell’s numbers weren’t as thrilling in ‘22, mostly because he wasn’t as profitable within the second half of the season following his commerce from Washington to San Diego, however the fame he has made for himself is sufficient to imagine that he might be the lacking energy piece to pair with Ramírez that this group has been looking for.
3. 83rd percentile in Okay%
We can’t speak about this group with out mentioning the small-ball stats, proper? If you’re going to slot in with a gaggle of scrappy younger guys like this Cleveland roster, there’s no higher method than proving you make quite a lot of contact. Bell’s stroll share in ’22 was ranked within the high 7% of the league, whereas his 15.8 strikeout price positioned him within the 83rd percentile. That Okay% marked the bottom in his profession, other than his 12.5% in 2016 when he performed in simply 45 video games. If Bell doesn’t strike out too often, walks a ton and might hit 20-25 homers, this Guardians offense has already made an enormous leap.
