I wouldn't be surprised if they go after a rental 1B at the trade deadline, I also wouldn't be surprised if they decide that the Dalbec/Cordero 1B platoon is functioning juust well enough (which isn't to say well) for it to not be a hole that would sink them.

This may well be the route they choose. However: we are 2nd to the last in the AL in WAA (wins above average) at the first base position. I would honestly put it as our number one need, even above bullpen, which will see internal improvement with injured pitchers coming back (most notably Whitlock).

Also, if we traded for Bell, we could re-sign him and let JD walk (I think this is what we would have done with Schwarber if JD had opted out). I also think some people here are over-estimating what it would take to get Bell. True, he will fetch more than Schwarber last year, but there is a major gulf in between Aldo Ramirez and any of our top 100 prospects. I don't get this assumption we will have to give any of them up when we can package as many top 30 prospects (in our system) as we need to.