As expected, designated hitter Josh Bell is a free agent. The Twins declined their side of Bell's $10 million mutual option for 2027, according to AaronGleeman.com's Aaron Gleeman. By declining the option, the Twins gave Bell a $1.25 million buyout.
It's no surprise that Bell is hitting free agency. The last time a mutual option was exercised was by the Milwaukee Brewers and Aramis Ramírez for the 2015 season.
The Twins paid Bell $7 million, including his buyout, to play for them in 2026. In his lone season with Minnesota, Bell posted 0.7 fWAR and a .255/.319/.419 (106 wRC+) slash line with 21 home runs and 96 RBI over 154 games.
Will Josh Bell return to the Twins in 2027?
Bell said he wants to be back with the Twins in 2027.
"I have been talking with my family about [wanting to return] all year," Bell told WCCO's Ren Clayton. "Hopefully that happens for us. We'll see in the next couple of months."
Josh Bell says he wants to be back with the Twins next season.
— Ren Clayton (@Ren_Clayton) September 28, 2026
Caught up after the season finale with the Twins DH who hit 21 home runs this year and led Minnesota with 96 RBI. pic.twitter.com/sjjDCg52iq
Bell also had a 106 wRC+ in 2025 with the Washington Nationals. Because he essentially had the same offensive seasons in 2025 and 2026, he will likely sign another one-year deal for around $7 million this offseason.
Minnesota might consider re-signing Bell. He is a streaky hitter, but ends up being an above-average bat every year. He has expressed his desire to stay in Minnesota, and with 11 years of MLB experience, he brings a veteran presence to the dugout that could be useful for the Twins, a team with plenty of young talent like Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
However, with all of the young talent making their MLB debuts this year, it's hard to imagine the Twins having space for Bell on the 2027 roster. If the Twins are fully healthy entering next season, they will have four outfielders who need to play every day: Byron Buxton, Luke Keaschall, Jenkins and Rodriguez. That means the Twins brass will likely want to use one of those outfielders regularly in the DH spot. Bell can play first base, but his defensive numbers are extremely poor.
Essentially, the Twins don't have room for a full-time DH who isn't already on the roster. If Bell were a better defensive first baseman, it would make more sense for Minnesota to bring him back. But since he is essentially a full-time DH these days, the Twins should let him sign elsewhere.
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