The Washington Nationals are expected to part ways with Josh Bell before the trade deadline. James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Astros, Mets pursuing one-time All-Star 1B Josh Bell

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/22/22

Despite seeing their previous double-digit game lead in the NL East now down to just 2 1/2 games over the Atlanta Braves, it would take an epic collapse for the New York Mets not to make the playoffs in the fall, thanks to the expanded postseason format . With a 10-game lead in the AL West over the second-place, red-hot Seattle Mariners, the Houston Astros appear to even be more a sure thing to be playing meaningful baseball in October.

Still, according to Andy Martino of SNY, both the Astros and Mets may be seeking out a particular power bat to bolster their lineup in the coming days. The MLB trade deadline is Aug. 2.

Mets would like Josh Bell, while another league source says Astros pursuing him. https://t.co/APMZgNmljl
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 22, 2022

Bell is in his sixth full big-league season and second with the Washington Nationals. Through 341 at-bats and 93 games played, Bell leads the team in hits (106), doubles (21), RBIs (50), batting average (.311), slugging percentage (.504) and total bases (172).

The soon-to-be 30-year-old Bell finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2017 with the Pittsburgh Pirates after registering 26 home runs, 90 RBIs and a .255/.334/.466 slash line. He made his lone All-Star team in 2019 with the Pirates and finished that year with career highs in home runs (37) and RBIs (116) among other categories.

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