Padres GM Jed Hoyer met with agents Sam and Seth Levinson of ACES last week for 2-3 hours to discuss a possible extension for Padres closer Heath Bell, according to MLB.com’s Barry Bloom. Bell repeated that he would like to stay in San Diego and is willing to take a discount to remain with the Padres, as long as the team can be flexible, too.
"My biggest thing is that I'd like three years," Bell said. "That's my biggest thing. If it means taking less money, then that's something I'll do to make sure I'm here for the next three years or more."
Hoyer told Bloom that the sides had a “good meeting" and that he’d like to keep Bell. The closer, who will hit free agency after the season if the sides don’t reach a deal, said he’s open to negotiating an extension during the season.
Bell, 33, will earn $7.5MM this season in his final season of arbitration eligibility. He saved 47 games last year, when he posted a 1.93 ERA with 11.1 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 and made his second consecutive All-Star team.
