The San Diego Padres have to trade Heath Bell.
Trade Bait: Heath Bell
It’s really that simple.
Or maybe it’s not.
Heath Bell, somewhat oddly, is earning only $7.5 million this season. If the Padres do trade Bell this month, they will save something like $3 million, which isn’t a lot of money even for the Padres. So there’s no real need for a salary dump.
Leaving the money out of the equation, then, the question becomes this: Would the prospects gained in a Heath Bell trade be worth more than the draft pick (or picks) gained when he departs via free agency plus whatever goodwill is gained with the fans, by keeping Bell for the rest of this season?
First, it's worth judging Bell's performance. Since taking over from Trevor Hoffman as the Padres' closer in 2009, Bell has simply been outstanding: 2.33 ERA with 112 saves in 122 opportunities. And by the latter measure, he seems to be improving: six blown saves in 2009, three in 2010, and only one so far this season. Perhaps most astonishingly, in these three seasons Bell has given up only four home runs in 174 innings.
Granted, Petco Park has played a part in Bell’s statistical success. But even accounting for his home ballpark, Bell ranks sixth among closers since 2009 in Wins Above Replacement. Oh, and he’s first in saves. If that’s your bag.
First or sixth, Bell’s obviously one of the best relief pitchers in the major leagues, and there are any number of contenders who could use one of the best relief pitchers in the major leagues.
What might the Padres receive in exchange for Heath Bell?
Very few closers have been been traded in the last few seasons. But just a year ago, the Nationals traded Matt Capps to the Twins. Capps is nobody's idea of Heath Bell ... but the Nationals netted Wilson Ramos, who today ranks as one of the better young catchers in the majors (if not a future star). If Capps gets you Ramos, doesn't Bell get you a future star? And if so, don't you have to make the deal?
See More:
