After months of rumors that they’d continue to the deconstruction process they started at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, president Derek Falvey announced that the Twins were NOT going to trade any more of their best players.

Instead, the front office was on the hunt to MODERATELY add more talent to their roster during the MLB Winter Meetings. were now looking to moderately add to the roster.

Right away, Falvey made it clear that the focus of their energy would be spent on upgrading the bullpen and first base. Rather than just give Kody Clemens the starting role, the Twins were looking for someone with more MLB cred at the position.

Josh Bell signs with Minnesota Twins

According to recent reports, Minnesota has been showing interest in Rhys Hoskins, Ryan O’Hearn, among others.

On Monday, though, the Falvey and the Twins took their first base swing — inking 33-year-old former All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, Josh Bell.

First baseman Josh Bell and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a one-year contract with a mutual option, sources tell ESPN. Bell, 33, is a switch hitter who will play at first and DH for a Twins team making its first big league signing of the winter.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2025

The deal is for a guaranteed $7 million. He’ll get $5.5 million in 2025 and has a $250,000 signing bonus. There’s also a $1.25 million mutual option buyout.

Bell is a former second round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates. His career has been up and down, and it’s seen a lot of stops.

Last season with the Washington Nationals, Josh Bell slashed .237/.325/.417 across 140 games, blasting 22 homers along the way. the same number he sent over the fence in 2023 and three more than 2024.

In 2019 with the Pirates, Bell hit .277/.367/.569 with 37 homers, en route to his lone All-Star Game appearance.

Old friend, Josh Bell, is reportedly headed to the Twins on a one-year deal

Still proved a servicable bat in 2025, hitting .237/.325/.417/.741 (110 OPS+) pic.twitter.com/23XsWyV975

— Louis Addeo-Weiss (@addeo_louis00) December 15, 2025

Terms of Bell’s deal have not yet been disclosed, but his contract is effectively a one-year deal. The mutual option is unlikely to be exercised, no matter the outcome of 2026.

A good season would move Bell to opt out, while and an underwhelming performance would force the Minnesota Twins to look somewhere else 10-12 months from now.

What should we expect from Josh Bell in 2026?

For the third-straight season the MN Twins will have a new starting first baseman. Carlos Santana took the role two years ago and won his first Gold Glove in 2024. Ty France was their answer last summer, and he played as well as could’ve been expected too.

It’s unlikely Bell finds 2019 success again, possibly because baseballs will never be that juiced up again. Nonetheless, he’s a capable switch-hitting slugger who will provide the Twins with a veteran who’s been there, done that.

The Minnesota Twins kick off Grapefruit League action down in Fort Myers on February 21, the first time we’ll get to see the latest Twin in action.

What about Kody Clemens?

While Kody Clemens was a solid find for the Falvey & Co. last season, entering the 2026 regular season with him as the starter would have been a stretch, to say the least.

Unfortunately there isn’t much of a platoon advantage for new manager Derek Shelton. Clemens owned a .482 OPS against lefties last season but Bell wasn’t much better with a .552 OPS.

At least for the start of Spring Training, I expect the Minnesota Twins to roll Bell out as their everyday first baseman, while Clemens shifts back to more of a utility role.

Bell has never posted positive numbers defensively at first base, so the Twins streak of winning Gold Gloves is almost certainly coming to an end.

That’s not great news for an infield that was leaky defensively with a talented first baseman. He helps the lineup though, and can be a trade piece if things go sideways this summer.

With Bell in tow, the most significant offensive addition has been addressed. Now it becomes time to focus on the bullpen and rebuild what was torn down last summer.

Beyond the bullpen, an obvious area of need, finding a capable starting first baseman is a priority. At the moment, the job appears likely to fall to Kody Clemens. If that’s the extent of their plan, Derek Shelton’s team can’t be taken seriously. Fortunately, there are low-wattage options available on the open market.

Slugging Help at First Base on the Horizon

Minnesota acquired Kody Clemens last season as injuries continued to pile up, and he handled his first extended opportunity in the big leagues reasonably well. Still, expecting another step forward, or simply allowing first base to go unaddressed, would be risky. According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, the Twins have at least explored external options.

Team and league sources confirmed Wednesday that the Twins inquired about or have shown interest in veterans Rhys Hoskins, Josh Bell and 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn, among others.

The Athletic

None of the reported candidates are particularly inspiring, but the bar to clear for improved offensive production is not high. In 112 games last season, Clemens hit .216/.284/.442, good for a just-below-average 96 OPS+. While that was easily the best showing of his career, his performance dipped significantly in the second half.

The Twins are heavily left-handed at their power positions, which makes either Rhys Hoskins or Josh Bell a potential fit. Hoskins, who recently signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, posted a 108 OPS+ last season and once looked like an ideal target. Bell, a switch hitter, recorded a 110 OPS+ in 2025 and brings proven power, with 193 career home runs.

Ryan O'Hearn demolishes the 4th @Padres home run of the night 😳 pic.twitter.com/JJ96j5xZj5

— MLB (@MLB) August 21, 2025

Former Kansas City Royals infielder Ryan O’Hearn also fits the profile. He appeared to unlock another level in Baltimore under former Twins hitting coach Matt Borgschulte. O’Hearn posted a career-best 125 OPS+ last season and earned his first All-Star selection. He would have been an ideal trade target for Minnesota had they not been a 92-loss team, but instead was dealt to the San Diego Padres at the deadline.

Path for Twins Additions Looks Murky

The Twins made it clear they don’t intend to trade their stars and still plan to add pieces. However, with the payroll currently checking in under $100 million, there isn’t much financial flexibility unless the new minority owners are willing to spend.

Still, fielding a competent roster in 2026 shouldn’t require a massive investment. Adding even a modest, needle-moving slugger at first base would be a meaningful step in the right direction.

“On the offensive side, another bat or two with some thump, with some impact, to bolster a group that we’re excited about and that young core that we’re excited to keep growing with.”

Jeremy Zoll – The Athletic

Beyond first base, the bullpen remains an unresolved concern. General manager Jeremy Zoll told The Athletic this week that Minnesota is looking to add help to supplement the current relief core. Doing so shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive, and even a modest willingness to spend could meaningfully improve the roster.