Padres Notes: Bell, Ludwick, Stauffer

The 37-45 Padres have won seven of their last eight games and are now 9.5 games behind the Giants for the division lead. If their hot streak continues they could surprise some people, but it seems more likely that they'll be sellers at this year's trade deadline. Here's the latest on the Padres' summer plans…

• Heath Bell, who has been the subject of trade rumors for years, tells Scott Miller of CBS Sports that he’s anticipating a deal. "In all honesty, I know it's probably going to happen," Bell said.
• Padres GM Jed Hoyer told Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he wants to be a buyer this summer, so he's hoping his club's hot streak continues. But Hoyer realizes he will have to field offers for Ryan Ludwick if the team doesn't keep winning. “IF we are out of the race, we have to consider trading him," Hoyer said. "If we continue to play well, we will certainly hold on to him." Ludwick hits free agency after the season.
• Tim Stauffer and Cory Luebke tell Bill Center of the Union-Tribune that their time in San Diego's bullpen taught them lessons they're now applying as members of the rotation.