The Padres have officially avoided arbitration with their closer, agreeing to terms on a $4MM salary with Heath Bell, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. It's a substantial raise over the $1.255 salary Bell made last year, but the righty had an All-Star season.
Brock tweets that the Padres don't have plans to offer Bell or Kevin Kouzmanoff multi-year deals. Both players could be trade bait this summer.
looks like he is staying put for now
looks like he is staying put for now
That’s not a bad deal, at all, for San Diego. If I’m not mistaken, Huston Street agreed to a $5.5 million deal with Colorado, last year, to avoid arbitration. And Street had a pretty rough 2008.
I didn’t think the Padres would deal Bell this winter.
Why does this signing mean that he isnt going to be dealt? Wouldnt it increase his value as his contract is so reasonable?
Why does this make a trade less likely? I would think now that he has a bargain contract he is more desirable and the Padres could get more in trade for him?
Good deal for the Friars. Heath is still certainly trade bait…there are sure to be interested teams during the season, and there’s really no reason for the Padres to hang onto him long-term. They need him to start the season though to make sure that Gregorson or Mike Adams are capable replacements.
if we do trade him down the road…I hope we getting something amazing in return.
That’s a good contract for Bell, and easily movable if desired. If Mike Adams is good to go, they’ve got two of the best 8th-9th innings guys around.
hey, bro, kouzmanoff was already traded, so it would be exceptionally difficult for them to sign him to a multi-year deal
That was posted on Friday, before he was traded.
whoops!