Josh Bell exercises $16.5M player option to remain with Marlins

Miami Marlins first baseman Josh Bell exercised his $16.5-million player option to remain with the team in 2024, the team announced Saturday.

Bell, 31, was acquired by the Marlins at this year's trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Jean Segura and a prospect. He had signed a two-year, $33-million deal with Cleveland last December.

While he struggled during his brief Guardians tenure, Bell seemed revitalized following the trade to Miami. After hitting .233/.318/.383 over 97 games in Cleveland, the switch-hitter posted a .818 OPS with 11 homers, 20 extra-base hits, and 26 RBIs in 224 plate appearances with the Marlins. While his team was swept out of the playoffs, Bell had an excellent series, going 4-for-8 with a pair of extra-base hits in the Marlins' two-game loss to Philadelphia.

Keeping Bell became even more important for the Marlins after slugger Jorge Soler opted out of his contract Friday. He'll provide a steady presence in the middle of the order for manager Skip Schumaker, whether at first base or in the DH slot.

Bell, an All-Star in 2019, is a lifetime .260/.347/.453 hitter with 152 homers and 542 RBIs over parts of eight seasons with five teams. He earned a Silver Slugger in 2022, a season he split between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres.