Bell: 'The Phillies, I think we can beat 'em'
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Bell: 'The Phillies, I think we can beat 'em'
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
DALLAS — These are heady times for the Miami (née Florida) Marlins. They are the darlings of the winter meetings with expenditures totaling $133 million in two days. And now, reportedly, they have offered Albert Pujols a 10-year contract.
They have Jose Reyes, the dynamic former Mets shortstop who will move franchise player Hanley Ramirez to third base. They have a new stadium and fancy uniforms. (Even Billy The Marlin received a makeover!) They have Ozzie Guillen, baseball's most bombastic manager.
They also have Heath Bell, the gregarious closer who once slid into the mound upon his entrance in an All-Star Game. Bell was here in Texas for his formal unveiling Monday. And Bell likes his team's chances.
"I think we can win the division right now," Bell told CBSSports.com. "The Phillies, I think we can beat 'em. ... Ryan Howard is hurt. They might not be getting Jimmy Rollins back."
The Phillies, of course, will remain division favorites until someone knocks them from their five-year perch. There is no doubt that the National League East, a division the Phillies held a lead for on all but three days of the season, will be stronger in 2012 than 2011. The Washington Nationals will have a full season of Stephen Strasburg and have money to spend this winter. The Braves have a cadre of young pitching and talent. And the Marlins, they have stolen the national spotlight already.
Miami has starting pitching issues that remain unsolved. (They are apparently enamored with Mark Buehrle, like many.) But an agreement with the game's best player in Pujols would certainly tempt many prognosticators to make the Marlins everyone's sexy pick.
(An aside: Makes you think how different these winter meetings could be for the Phillies had they not signed Ryan Howard to a five-year, $125 million extension in April 2010. Would they be in on Pujols? They would certainly have interest in Prince Fielder, five years Howard's younger.)
"It's a good division, man. It's going to be a grinder," Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I like our chances, but it's going to be a dogfight."
And you'd expect the man to say nothing less, considering the Phillies have won 199 games in the previous two seasons combined. With an improved division on paper, that doesn't guarantee anything in 2012.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
I could see why Bell would be popping off. Considering that he's coming over from the Padres (aka the NL West's version of the Nats) and considering all the moves the Marlins are reportedly involved in, I'd be excited too.— PinkstonsStrengthCoach- Anyone can beat the Phillies. Just look at how a wild card team embarrassed them this year. I'd lose the go fella, the Phillies are overrated, particularly considering they're the Yankees of the National League. — bushmciworlcomenron
- Yeah sure. Despite winning the division 5 straight years, any team CAN beat them. Just hasn't happened over the course of 162 in quite a while though, has it? — evanbaseball
- Bell says, "they might not get rollins back". what bell doesnt understand is that subtracting rollins and his selfish approach to hitting is exactly what the team needs to win the division, — zwarte piet
- I'll be laughing when Bell's on the DL in May, Reyes and Rameriz poison Ozzie Guillen's clubhouse. Saw they were looking at Zambrano too - that would give this team one full boat of hotheads. Why Pujols would want to go to this team is beyond me (aside from big guaranteed money for ten years, of course)— bdm155
- I'll be laughing when Bell sweats Moses Malone style in the sweltering humidity of South Florida....That being said, what's he supposed to say...He just said what many of these up and coming teams are feeling...that the Phillies reign is coming to an end...Fine. That's why they play the games..See him in April. — bearsfriend
- Jose will not put up the same numbers now that he got his money. Hanley is upset at the move to third. This dream team will not win the division.— mikemaddog
- The division is definitely getting better....but Phils have Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Papelbon...that's why Phils are still the best.— frank105
- Right, just like they were the "best" this year. BTW, Papelbon is an arrogant sob, he'll fit in well with Philly fans who are self-centered egotistical know-it-all idiots. — bushmciworlcomenron
- if were all "know it all idiots" why do you have an account on the website of the Philadelphia news? You're a dope. — jmoff27
- @bushmciworlcomeron I don't see how you can dispute the fact that the Phillies were the best team in the division last season. — rocker4prez
- and the Braves were "the best team in the division" for what, 15 years running?
winning the division is not the goal.
(unless you are the Eagles)— ekw555 - I look forward to 3-way hissy fits involving Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, and Ozzie Guillen. Then Logan Morrisn can tweet about it. They better offer Pujols a 15-year deal to steer that ship.— frankenslade
- Beautiful! — bearsfriend
- They might be able to take a couple games from us, especially if they ink Pujols, but no way they take us in a 5 or 7 game series. Sounds like they are building a Dream Team. We all know how those work out.— BleedPhilly
