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.
Hoyer: Buy Low. Sell High. A small market team shouldn’t be paying 20% of its payroll to a closer.
I have the Padres 25 man roster at about $51 Mil.
Add the salaries up of the 25 you think will make it.
That’s a 20%+ raise for the team over last year.
Lock him up- a good closer is good place to park money. Their easy to flip at the trade deadline also if it comes to that.
Bell wants a no trade clause to make sure he stays in SD for the duration.
Yeah, a nice cheap contract with Bell is a win-win for the Padres. He should very tradeable if they want to go another direction.
Don’t know what *cringe* “ballpark” amount Bell is looking for, but if he were to accept a deal in the low-20’s/three-years, I’d be ecstatic.
As much as I believe the Padres will still use Heath as a trade chip, I respect the guy a hell of a lot, and I would like to see him stay. I am just not sure that makes the Padres better (overall) in the long-run.
the whole point for him is to be in san diego. he’d be a total moron to sign at a discount without securing no-trade protection
But you can only move him this year. He’ll be guaranteed to demand a no-trade clause if he takes less money to stay in SD.
Also add 2014 as he’s already signed for 2011.
Not a chance he signs for that low. Especially after seeing the contracts handed out to Rivera ($15 mm), Lidge ($11.5 mm), Street ($7.5 mm), F. Rodriguez ($11.5 mm), Soriano ($10 mm) and Cordero ($12 mm).
Bell’s agent will argue that he’s better than all but one of those guys and deserves at least $11.5. That’s where San Diego says, “goodbye.” Someone like St. Louis, LA Angels, or Washington will be able to beat any offer San Diego gives.
And, if he has another year like the last two, I doubt the three years will be an issue.
The only way they keep Bell is if he takes dramatically less money than on the open market.