FRIDAY: Bell is staying put, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
WEDNESDAY: The Giants have been awarded the waiver claim on Padres closer Heath Bell, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney expects the Giants' level of concern with closer Brian Wilson's elbow to be a factor in the ensuing trade talks. If the teams cannot reach an agreement, the Padres can pull Bell back, but then won't be able to trade him elsewhere. A trade is unlikely, hears Dan Hayes of the North County Times.
Though Bell projects as a Type A free agent, National League non-contenders elected not to claim the righty with an eye on draft pick compensation. With the Padres at least, Bell has said he'd accept an arbitration offer.
Bell, 33, has a 2.55 ERA, 6.8 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 0.34 HR/9, and 43.2% groundball rate on the season. He has $1.44MM remaining on his contract.
The two division rivals last struck a deal in July of 2003, when the Giants traded Clay Hensley and cash to the Padres for Matt Herges. Before that, they hadn't made a deal since '92.
Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain for Heath Bell.
Psh, not even close. Posey better be in there as well.
If we’re throwing in Posey we have to have APTBNL in return.
Alberto Gonzalez should work.
You couldn’t trade the entire Padres roster for those three.
Ummm…. Blanks, Headley, and Maybin would all be upgrades for SF in my opinion. Latos and Luebke are no scrubs. Lets not go on pretending like the Padres don’t have an excellent young foundation to build on.
You would know. You are the Padres future.
Really really tough when you don’t get the most obvious of sarcasm……
Boy, this is really gonna help the Giants non-existent offense.
What is?
Stpuid Giantss, i hatess them
edit: there was suppose to be a pic of Gollum from LOTR but it didnt show
We getss it…we doess…my preciouss…
😀
I was wrong.. WINNER!
That might be the g@yest post I have seen on here yet.
It is SanFran.
I’m not even a Giant fan, in fact, I prefer seeing the great story of D’Backs make the postseason but to see Bell set up for Wilson, that’s just something I have to see.
Isn’t Wilson on the DL? Maybe the injury’s worse than it seemed?
I wish it was someone outside of our division, but I don’t really want the Padres to get stuck with paying Bell whatever he will get awarded in Arbitration next year. What are the odds that SF and SD could actually reach a deal?
If SF is serious about acquiring him and not simply putting in the claim to block the D’backs or Phillies then it’s possible but would take a decent prospect or 2.
You hit it… the proverbial nail. SF has no intentions of making a “serious” offer to the Padres. Very low risk move by the Giants… they either get Bell for almost nothing(I don’t believe the Padres would be dumb enough to dump him for nothing) or they block other contenders.
No trade will ever happen, it was just a block.
Yeah look at what happened the last time SF blocked a team by claiming a pitcher- they got stuck with what’s his name back in the 90s. Really bad contract, even worse pitcher. They were blocking ATL at the time.
Then again, the Giants claimed Cody Ross last year as a block and look what happened with him…
Not even close to the same situation.
I believe you are talkng about Randy Myers and it was the Padres who blocked Atlanta. But the bad contract and even worse pitcher part was right. 🙂
Bell is in final year of contract, no chance the Padres simply allow the Giants to take him.
Unless the padres are planning on Bell taking up 1/5 of their payroll next year it’s better to get something rather than nothing
How the hell do all these guys either clear waivers or make it all the way to the Giants? First Delmon Young — nobody wanted a 25 year OF that finished 10th in the AL MVP vote last year? For $2 million annually? Are you kidding? Heath Bell, All-Star closer for pocket change (about $1.5 million for the rest of the year). Why doesn’t a team like the Nats or Mets claim him just to screw with the Padres or re-waiver him to another team? Seems like a lot of collusion here. Plus wouldn’t the Nats/Mets get draft picks if Bell left in free agency next year? $1.5 million for a top tier closer for 1 month, chance to trade him or pick up some draft picks. Seems like a no brainer.
This was done to block the Phillies from placing a claim. I’m convinced there is absolutely no other reason but to screw the Phils.
So why didn’t the Nats and Mets make a claim? Not worth their time to file the paper? I don’t get it. Nothing to lose by filing a claim, lots to gain if you can work out a good trade or just let SD dump him.
Because they’d have to give up their number one draft pick next year as part of the compensation for him. They’re both building through the draft.
No they wouldn’t — you only have to give up draft pick if you sign as a FA and also you have to be a top half team, neither is right now. No draft picks lost.
Are you by chance a Phils fan?
Hey, in the post season you gotta have what everyone else has…NL Setup/Closers
Brewers; K-Rod/Axford
Braves; Venters/Kimbrel
Phils; Lidge/Madson
Giants: Bell/Wilson
Except Lidge is not the setup man or closer..
Yeah except Giants have a R/L split at setup already in Romo and Lopez who are absolutely ridiculous.
Bell would be also considered a RH specialist just look at his splits.
So that means Bell pitches the 7th, Romo/Lopez for the 8th, and Wilson closes it out lol. Plain ridiculous.
then maybe you can get that mariano rivera guy for the 6th. RIDICULOUS!!
Don’t forget the Giants already have Romo in the setup position who has been ridiculously good this year. 53/4 K/BB.
Except having Lopez, Romo, Bell, and Wilson patrolling your backend of the bullpen that=best bullpen in baseball.
Of course Atlanta’s no slouch but those 4 up there have the experience.
If Giants SPs get at least 6 innings maybe 7 its an automatic win for them. Think how psychologically that would affect other teams in the playoffs.
If Bell goes to the Giants I will throw up.
As a Pads fan, I understand, but I would rather see him go to the Giants now, than accept arbitration this offseason and collect 20% of the Pads salary….would be nice if they could convince him to not accept arb and let him pick where he wants to go in FA (LA, Anaheim) than hold them hostage with an arb acceptance.
Good comment, and that’s why I think the Padres will deal him to the Giants. Pitching is what it’s all about in the playoffs.
The Padres could release him if he was to accept arbitration.
They would still have to pay him regardless.
If a player accepts arbitration, the team can then release the player prior to the season and only have to pay him a small amount of his contract. It would be a waste of money but they could still get out of the contract were they not able to trade him.
They would not need to release him. Even if he gets a ridiculous $12m in Arb, it would only be 1 year and thus leaves him tradeable still. They may not get as much in return in that situation, but would be better than just releasing him. Plus the threat of trading him to Toronto or some other place he doesnt want to go could disuade him from accepting ARB.
Good points, however let me play Devil’s Advocate for a minute. Say we trade him to the Giants, who offer him arb. at the end of year and he rejects, giving SF two draft picks. I cannot understand how the Padres think they can win by doing that.
2 mos. of Bell plus the Giants getting a 1st and supplemental round draft picks OR having SF resign Bell and put him in the back of the bullpen w/Wilson for the next 3 is just too much.
If Bell signed with the Padres in free agency that 1st round pick would be protected.
This is why a deal wont happen without the Giants giving up at least 1 good prospect.
Not gonna happen unless the Giants pony up!
Hey Giants You Need Offense!
As they proved last year, it’s not as important as pitching in the playoffs.
They didn’t prove anything in one postseason. Far too small a sample size to say what’s more important.
Yeah. You could say that if they got eliminated in game 7 of the NLCS. But they won the World Series. They have nothing else to prove.
I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. Yes they proved themselves and whatever, but one winning postseason doesn’t mean that pitching wins postseasons. It’s too small a sample size. I don’t like that people jump to that conclusion just because the Giants managed to do it that way.
I think it’s a block move on the D’Backs, but if the Giants get in to the playoffs, not a lock for sure, they’re going to be trouble for anyone with that pitching staff, provided they make a deal for Bell.
SP-Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner and Vogelsong
RP-Mota, Ramirez, Affelt, Casilla, Lopez, Romo, Bell
Closer-Wilson or Bell
They’d match up with the Phillies and Braves in a short series since good pitching will usually stop good hitters in the short term.
But, they have to get there first.
Not exactly a shocker with Wilson down, and KT’s (Az.) interest in Bell in the division. Still unlikely. Unless they want to unload Bells contract in stern. We’ll know soon. Giants wouldn’t have to give up that much. Probably less that what’s being reported, in matching two comp picks if the Padres are seriously concerned about Bell accepting arbitration. He’s (Bell) said he would, I’m not so sure.
What contract? $1m? If his remaining salary was their concern, he would have been traded at the deadline.
Giants are just mad the Padres are going to sweep them and could possibly do some major damage with 18 games left vs. the Giants and AZ. Go Pads!
Kyle Blanks going yard off the Ambulance was pretty sweet too! Take that Matt Cain
Jonathan Sanchez’s triple.
That is all.
Jonathan Sanchez’s guarantee sweep over the Padres in 2010… Opps!
Jonathan Sanchez losing a 1 hitter to the Padres… THAT IS ALL!!!
If that gives you satisfaction then bless your soul.
What gives me satisfaction is Barry Zito’s contract.
And yet they still won the division last year over the padres and the world series. THAT IS ALL!!!
Actually that’s not all: Jonathan Sanchez beating the Pads (including hitting a triple) and clinching the NL West last day of the season, and Jonathan Sanchez no-hitting the Pads. I think I’ll take those 2 preeeeeetty much any day of the week.
Obviously the point is dude hits a homerun 2 days ago, giants fans brings up Sanchez’s triple from last year. Whats the point. If that’s the case, Yanks beat giants in the ’62 world series… suck it SF
Ok Giants fans, what would you realistically give for Bell? Please don’t tell me that your backup catcher for the Flying Squirells is a future hall of famer…
Depends on how badly Romo and Wilson are hurt. Romo should be back within a week or so but Wilson is the key. If he’s hurt worse than anyone is letting on, I can see Surkamp + a fielding prospect for Bell and maybe some cash? I know the Giants were adamant about not really dumping anymore bats but for Bell I would. Especially since the Giants could seemingly offer him Arbitration and see him decline and get tons more money in the free market (if he’s a FA, wasn’t sure) and get draft picks in return.
There is absolutely zero chance of them trading Surkamp. He was the reason they felt they were able to send Wheeler to the Mets. Now with Zito and Sanchez hurt (it was reported that Sanchez will not make his next start, either), there is a possibility they could bring up Surkamp to take the 5th spot in the rotation this week.
They won’t trade Brown, and they couldn’t trade Panik if they wanted to (draft/trade rules)
I think if they were willing to trade anyone, it would be from the 40-man roster, and would be from a the pool of: Waldis Joaquin, Clayton Tanner, Conor Gillaspie, or Darren Ford.
I’m not saying a combination of the above is a fair price, just what I believe the Giants FO would be willing to part with from the 40-man. There may be other minor leaguers they’d be willing to trade, but no one who would make a large impact at the Major League level.
I guess the Giants don’t like losing to the Padres and would hate to have the Padres get something in return for Bell. Also, forcing the Padres to offer arbitration to Bell (which he will accept) and locking up 20% of the Padres expected salary for next year (50MM). I hate you, Sabean.
It has nothing to do with hurting the Padres. It has everything to do with blocking the Diamondbacks.
Sure, hate Sabean for your player holding your team hostage with the arbitration. That’s logical.
Nice. Curious to see how this one plays out.
Nice. Hopefully they get a deal done. If not it’s a good block to prevent their competitors from getting better.
intrigued by the Bell situation. Make something happen Hoyer!
if Wilson is out for the season, the Giants has to over pay. go Padres.
Even if Wilson was healthy, the Giants would have to overpay to get Bell. No way Hoyer gives our most popular (and arguably best) player to our biggest rival aside of the Doyers.
I can’t tell if “Doyer” is a typo or your pet name for them.
Haha, it’s a pet name. I went to school up in LA, and that’s what everyone calls them up there.
if we get bell i would 100% rather see him in the 9th than wilson…wilson is a good maybe great pitcher but i cant stand the interesting 9th innings anymore. he needs to go to the yanks already im over the beard
You need to return your fanhood from the place you got it, how dare you.
ur obviously caught up in his show, wilson has great stuff but if ur a real giants fan you would be tired of him loading the bases every 9th inning, its unnecessary bs..you cant deny that. not gunna lie the dude is hilarious though, but baseball isnt a comedy act
Padres fans went bat poopy when we traded Kouz. If a fan favorite like Bell was traded to SF I imagine the UT comment section would implode into a black hole of e-rage.
I say make the trade, it will be entertaining to watch at the least.
The whole 12 posters they still have left.
Just fold the franchise, or move it to Las Vegas.
obvious this was just to block the Dbacks.
them and the phillies.
Heres a scenario that I wouldn’t mind seeing being a Padre fan. Deal Bell to the Giants for Ehire Adrianza, a smooth fielding short stop, would be best SS in the system immediately. Seeing as the Giants probably wouldn’t want to risk Bell accepting arb and paying a setup man 10+ million next season, the Padres could resign him next winter seeing as he wants to stay there so badly. Kind of what the Jays are doing with John McDonald, but on a much larger scale.
The Giants will sell-out every home game this year and if they make it to the post season that means more money. Their payroll will continue to rise, I wouldnt be so sure the Giants would fail to offer arbitration if they got Bell.
No matter how high the Giants payroll is, I don’t think they want to pay the back end of their bullpen a total close to 20 million. Until the Yankees shelled out that huge deal to Soriano, I didn’t think any team would put that much money out there for a setup guy. I believe the opening day payroll of the Giants was up to around 100 million, would you really expect them to spend 20% of that on to relief pitchers?
Adrianza and Surkamp.
Deal.
As a Padre fan, I wish you the Giants GM. That’s probably more than they were offered at the deadline. 🙂
Good deal by Sabean. Either he gets another good arm- important especially with Wilson’s elbow- or he blocks a team like PHI or ARI that would’ve really loved to get Bell.
100% block
Jed Hoyer is probably calling Brian Sabean nonstop while Sabean let’s all the calls go straight to voice mail.
As if.
Jonathan Sanchez’s guarantee sweep over the Padres in 2010… Opps!
Jonathan Sanchez losing a 1 hitter to the Padres… THAT IS ALL!!!
orrr no hitting the padres? somehow you left that out…oppppppppps!
OR BEATING THE PADRES IN THE CLINCHING GAME! OOOOPPSSSSSSS
Game 162 2010…. THAT IS ALL!!!
Touche my good man, not sure how my previous post got down here… all well.
maybe acquiring bell would help wake up the giants offense.
I will be quite shocked if the trade does go through. Brian Wilson will be back after the injury.
If it isn’t clear by their recent play, the Cardinals have now officially folded. Congrats to the Brewers, 2011 NLC champs.
The Padres would trade Heath Bell to the Giants strait up for Zach Wheeler!
Carlos Beltran disagrees.
Ramon Hernandez a gigant???
As a long time Giants fan, I’m not thrilled at this trade idea right now because we don’t need more bullpen, we need more bats. Schierholtz now has a fractured food and was getting cold, Panda is one ligament stretch away from the DL with having to carry a team that is batting under <.250 without him, Beltran is hit/miss along with Ross, Huff just looks like the proverbial 'I got mine's so IDGAF' player, and our starters are pulling their hair out over giving up 1 or maybe 2 runs, because they know they have practically 0 run support. Did u see Vogelsong sweating and cursing himself on the mound last night barely into the 1st? Everybody knows Baseball is all about your mental zone, and if our pitching is that strung out there's no way we can make it again this year. You add Bell to the lineup, great, WTF games are we going to be able to use him to close/setup? We can't even put up 3 runs/game consistently over any series since the break. Unless Bell magically decides to become a pinch hitter and hits .400(?) a good move for SF this is not.
perhaps i’m a novice, but does food fracture when it gets cold?
i better go empty out my fridge.
Everytime I see his name it still breaks my heart knowing he was in my organization from the time he was drafted and the JIm Duquette/Omar Minaya never seen his true talent which is obvious because they never used him more then a longman in the bullpen and we practilly traded him for a bag of balls and a pack of big chew.