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Marlins Add Closer Heath Bell to Bullpen
John Nestor
Miami, FL
The Miami Marlins reached agreement on a three-year deal with closer Heath Bell Thursday, pending completion of a physical.
According to multiple reports, the contract is worth $27 million.
Bell would be the first major free-agent pickup for the Marlins who would like to usher in their new era with a splash and are also courting big-name free agents like Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes.
Bell had three straight 40-plus save seasons with the Padres, including 43 of 48 opportunities with San Diego in 2011. Bell has 132 saves since he became a full-time closer in 2009 - the most in baseball.
The arrival of the 34-year-old Bell, who has pitched in 435 games with 134 saves in 160 chances, likely means that Juan Carlos Oviedo, the reliever formerly known as Leo Nunez, will no longer be a Marlin.
At the end of the season, the Marlins placed Oviedo on the restricted list. He is currently in the Dominican Republic clearing up legal issues related to his identity.
Oviedo had 36 saves in 42 chances last season with a 4.06 ERA.
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