Report: Astros, Mets pursuing one-time All-Star 1B Josh Bell
Despite seeing their previous double-digit game lead in the NL East now down to just 2 1/2 games over the Atlanta Braves, it would take an epic collapse for the New York Mets not to make the playoffs in the fall, thanks to the expanded postseason format . With a 10-game lead in the AL West over the second-place, red-hot Seattle Mariners, the Houston Astros appear to even be more a sure thing to be playing meaningful baseball in October.
Still, according to Andy Martino of SNY, both the Astros and Mets may be seeking out a particular power bat to bolster their lineup in the coming days. The MLB trade deadline is Aug. 2.
Bell is in his sixth full big-league season and second with the Washington Nationals. Through 341 at-bats and 93 games played, Bell leads the team in hits (106), doubles (21), RBIs (50), batting average (.311), slugging percentage (.504) and total bases (172).
The soon-to-be 30-year-old Bell finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2017 with the Pittsburgh Pirates after registering 26 home runs, 90 RBIs and a .255/.334/.466 slash line. He made his lone All-Star team in 2019 with the Pirates and finished that year with career highs in home runs (37) and RBIs (116) among other categories.
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