FOX Sports: Blue Jays after Heath Bell

polo007 · Post #1 » by **polo007** » Thu Dec 1, 2011 8:39 pm

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbb ... _post=true

The Jays, Marlins and one other club are pursuing Bell, according to major-league sources.

And, as my colleague Jon Paul Morosi wrote in this column, the Jays are a sleeping giant in the free-agent market.

Club president Paul Beeston said before last season began that the team’s payroll could jump to $120 million in 2012, an increase of $50 million from Opening Day '11.

The Jays’ need for a closer is evident – they had 25 blown saves last season, tied for the third highest total in the majors.

Bell, 34, has averaged 44 saves the past seasons with the Padres, converting 90 percent of his opportunities in that span.

UN-Owen · Post #2 » by **UN-Owen** » Thu Dec 1, 2011 10:20 pm

Keith Law mentioned in his chat today that Bell suffered from a serious decline in velocity last season

Proceed with caution

baulderdash77 · Post #3 » by **baulderdash77** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 1:40 am

Not velocity, strikeout %.

Heath Bell's average FB is 94 mph, the same speed it's been since 2006.

His WHIP and BAA stayed rock steady at 1.15 and .215 last year.

He's looking for a 3 year deal and he's as good as it gets out there. If he doesn't work out, oh well at least they're trying.

evilRyu · Post #4 » by **evilRyu** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 2:45 am

NoOOOoooOOOooooo !!!

dagger · Post #5 » by **dagger** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 3:02 am

Sounds like Miami is in the driver's seat.

Im not sure Toronto is in the driver seat currently for any major free agent upgrades.

dballislife · Post #6 » by **dballislife** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 3:20 am

im liking the 3 years part, not a huge commitment...6th in saves in 2011, 2nd in 2010, and 4th in 2009...this guy gets the job done period

Trilogy · Post #7 » by **Trilogy** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 3:31 am

Take the money from this, and put it towards an offer for a real difference maker like Fielder/Pujols/Reyes

Still don't like the idea of Bell, or big bucks to a closer in general.

baulderdash77 · Post #8 » by **baulderdash77** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 3:42 am

Ok so we take $10 million from the $50 million we have to spend and then you can spend the other $40 million however you want to.

dagger · Post #9 » by **dagger** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 4:05 am

Bell signs with Marlins

3yr/$27m

#Marlins agree to 3-year $27M deal w Heath Bell, pending physical. Expected to take physical tomorrow. More to come at ESPN.com

dballislife · Post #10 » by **dballislife** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 4:09 am

imo 9 mill is pretty fair for a guy like bell

Osiris · Post #11 » by **Osiris** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 4:38 am

Bullet. Dodged.

Although I never really expected us to sign him, so my relief feels...more like I'm dumb for worrying in the first place.

raptorforlife88 · Post #12 » by **raptorforlife88** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 5:37 am

I suppose that's reasonable, but Heath Bell's strikeout numbers really dropped last year. And he's had the help of pitching at Petco. There are better relievers out there.

baulderdash77 · Post #13 » by **baulderdash77** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 12:34 pm

I think this is a major miss by AA. We do really need a closer despite what some of the bloggers think about it.

-MetA4- · Post #14 » by **-MetA4-** » Fri Dec 2, 2011 1:31 pm

baulderdash77 wrote:I think this is a major miss by AA.

Its a major miss to not sign a guy who would get exposed in the AL East?