It would make more sense to me to hold on to Bell and see how the season goes; can always be flipped at the deadline. You really leave Soto all alone as a power guy if you trade him. As you say, wth the lockout there is no real news so writers looking for something to write.
I will lose my little bit of remaining hope if we trade Josh Bell.
He is perfect to keep around and help protect Soto. If some things work out around them, a middle of the order with Soto and Bell could build a core you augment at deadline. If the pitching is a disaster again and guys like Kieboom and Garcia are low average, you can move Bell at deadline.
Move Bell and I'm not certain how they make a good faith attempt at trying in 2022. Just nuke everything. Not much left to even move, but try to at the least.