Heath Bell, age 34, and the Miami Marlins have agreed to a three year, $27 million contract with a vesting option for a fourth year at $9 million. Currently the contract is pending a physical in which Heath Bell will take tomorrow in Florida. In Bell's tenure as the Padres closer, posted a 2.36 ERA with 132 saves.
The Padres have potential options in their 8th and 9th inning relievers in Ernesto Frieri and Luke Gregerson. The Padres might also wish to pursue free agent closers should they feel that someone with more closing experience is needed.
With the changes in the new CBA, the Miami Marlins do not have to surrender a draft pick, but the Padres do get the first round compensation pick. The Padres will receive the pick in front of the Marlins second round pick which is ninth in the second round.
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