Houston Astros: 3 Reasons Josh Bell Should Be Top Trade Target

Josh Bell would be insurance against an extended Yordan Alvarez/Michael Brantley injury.

While it may be uneasy to think about either of those players being out for an extended period of time, Michael Brantley’s shoulder injury has taken longer than expected to heal and it’s the same injury that cost him a lot of time during his days in Cleveland.  What was initially day-to-day, then a 10 day IL stint, is now coming up on a month and there is still no timetable for his return.

And while Alvarez has been lights-out when he’s in the lineup, he seems to have a nagging wrist injury that no matter how much rest he gets, is still flaring up.

Trading for Josh Bell would be a solid insurance policy if either or both of those players end up needing extended time on the IL.

A left-handed power bat to fill the gaping void left in the Astros’ offense when Yordan sits out would be a great addition to the team. It would afford the Astros more rest days for Alvarez, Brantley and the aging Yuli Gurriel.

But even supposing everyone is healthy come October, here’s why Josh Bell makes sense in that scenario too.