Bell a possible trade target
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Bell a possible trade target
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX -- Heath Bell was a popular man during the All-Star Game media festivities. He figures to be traded by the last-place Padres before the July 31 deadline and the Phillies are a logical destination.
Bell acknowledged as much Monday.
"I'm going to work my butt off and give everything I have to the San Diego Padres," Bell said. "When they tell me that I'm in Philly or St. Louis or Texas or the Yankees or the Angels, whoever it is, I'm going to give my heart and soul to that team."
The San Diego closer said he'd be willing to serve as a setup man for a contending team this season, but will seek a closing job in free agency this winter. Bell, 33, has a 2.43 ERA with 26 saves this season. He is an All-Star for the third straight year.
If Jose Contreras' elbow issue is serious, which is certainly a possibility, the Phillies could seek insurance for the back of the bullpen. Any contribution from Brad Lidge is questionable. Antonio Bastardo has been fantastic, but is only six innings away from equaling his 2010 total. And Michael Stutes is more than halfway to his 2010 innings total.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is on record saying he'd prefer to add a relief arm before a bat.
Bell is making $7.5 million in 2011. The Padres also have Ryan Ludwick, a righthanded power-hitting outfielder that could attract the Phillies.
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If RAJ could pull off a Bell-Ludwick type of coup, they should promote him to Club President.
— HAROLD Eskin- Bell-Ludwick for Lidge, Kendrick, Contreras, Baez, and Herndon— Bruno Sammartino
Comment removed.- What about Wheels and/or a bag of donuts? — Cheesedog
- ... and Ben Francisco— RAS
- Comment removed.
- Padres will be looking to dump salary, main question is probably, how much are the Phillies willing to take on? Reports are they are close to the luxury tax threshold and are inwilling to go over. The closer they get to 7/31 the less they pay, sinc ethe salary is prorated.
I am probably in the minority who is more worried about adding a bullpen arm than RH hitter. I don't see them adding a player who will get regular at bats - best case is someone who platoons in LF, and even then they would need to be a significant upgrade over Mayberry to be worth it. On the other hand, they are likely to play a lot of very close games in the playoffs, and need to be able to play matchup in the late innings.— Phils Phan 28 - I agree with you (and Amaro). If the Phillies can only afford to add one quality player (in terms of dollars and/or prospects), I would absolutely deepen the bullpen! One extra bat is not going to turn this team into a high-scoring club, especially against the starters from Atlanta, San Francisco and Boston (our toughest potential foes). Presuming Halladay, Hamels and Lee stay healthy -- we have no chance otherwise -- we are going to find ourselves in a lot of low-scoring games like Friday's and Saturday's. Contreras is a question mark. Madson has never closed big games. Lidge is a depth guy at best. Bastardo is awesome, but young and already near his innings of 2010. Stutes is very green. The Giants won last year with a minimum of timely hitting, dominant starting, and a deep, dominant bullpen. Our bullpen is not there yet, and not up to par with Atlanta's. One extra right-handed bat (unless it's somehow Pence, which is a longshot) is highly unlikely statistically to change the complexion of Phillies' games. Picture a 2-2 tie in the 8th in the post-season and we have to pinch-hit for Halladay/Hamels/Lee. I want an extra hammer in the pen to get 4 or maybe 6 outs from that point on. A right-handed hitter maybe gets one or two more at-bats in such a game, likely with few or no men on base given our lineup. — PhilaLogic
- With a deeper bullpen on Saturday night, I think there's a fair chance we win that game, too. Atlanta and SF are even less likely to score against quality arms than the Phillies. (Boston presents a problem, admittedly.) But as inept as the lineup has been, Rollins and Utley and Polanco and Victorino and Ruiz and yes, Howard, have proven to be clutch prime-time performers again and again. I think the Phils' path to a championship will be all about winning a few, tight, low-scoring post-season games. One extra elite arm in the bullpen could be a positive factor in almost every such contest. — PhilaLogic
- Good one, Bruno! Worth a laugh or two.— everydayguy
- Padres accept Bruno's offer with one condition, we keep Herndon and throw in a bucket of balls instead. RAJ says NO deal!— The Sherm
- Ludwick is nothing special; Bell is 33 and would be pricey.— djmarco
- Comment removed.
- "Or they would retain him if Madson walks."
I thought the same thing.
— PhightinPhil - WTF do we need Heath Bell? I don't see it. I am indifferent regarding Ludwick. Now, say Hunter Pence, and you will have my attention.— 5NOT4
