Josh Bell: The perfect fit for Diamondbacks’ lineup, says Jim Bowden

Heading into the trade deadline, few players in baseball were hotter than Marlins first baseman Josh Bell. He had recorded 12 hits in seven games, including five home runs and nine RBIs. Yet, despite all of this, the Marlins, eager to shed payroll, placed the slugger on waivers.

When Christian Walker exited a game against the Nationals early and was later placed on the 10-day IL with oblique tightness, the Diamondbacks had an easy decision to make: pick up Bell for practically nothing, just a bit of cash.

While it’s often too early to judge a trade deadline deal after one game, Bell made an immediate impact. Returning to his former stomping grounds at PNC Park, Bell hammered two home runs in his first game with the D-backs, helping Arizona secure a 9-8 win over the Pirates and extend their winning streak to four games. Bell has now hit seven home runs since July 22nd, leading all of the majors in that span.

In a ranking done by Jim Bowden at The Athletic, where he looked at the best and worst deals at the deadline, Bowden listed Josh Bell joining the Diamondbacks as “The Best Lineup Fit.” Bowden wrote, “Josh Bell, whom the Diamondbacks acquired from the Marlins right after they learned first baseman Christian Walker had a strained oblique and had to be placed on the injured list. Arizona quickly decided to trade for the first baseman, who had hit five homers in what would be his final 10 games with the Marlins. Bell will go right into the lineup until Walker gets back, and he’s the perfect fit to replace him temporarily. “Josh Bell, whom the Diamondbacks acquired from the Marlins right after they learned first baseman Christian Walker had a strained oblique and had to be placed on the injured list. Arizona quickly decided to trade for the first baseman, who had hit five homers in what would be his final 10 games with the Marlins. Bell will go right into the lineup until Walker gets back, and he’s the perfect fit to replace him temporarily.”

Bowden also praised other NL West teams, particularly the Padres and Dodgers, who were active buyers at the deadline. He noted, “Two of the Southern California teams — the Padres and Dodgers — showed everyone how to give your club the best chance in October.” He highlighted that the Padres acquired “arguably the two best relievers who were traded,” in Tanner Scott and Jason Adam, while the Dodgers secured Jack Flaherty from the Tigers, describing him as “a proven veteran starter.”

In recent weeks, the Diamondbacks have gained significant ground on the Dodgers. Once trailing by over 10 games, the D-backs now trail LA by just four games. With the Dodgers facing a three-game series against the best team in baseball, the Phillies, at the start of next week, things are about to get really interesting.