Marlins sign Heath Bell - 3 years, $27 million

[ctcf]

Per ze Rotoworld:

 

According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, the Marlins have agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract with free agent closer Heath Bell.

The deal will be finalized after the veteran right-hander takes a physical Friday in Miami. Bell, 34, has posted a dominant 2.36 ERA over the past three seasons and is likely to make a fine closer for the Marlins, but $9 million per year does seem a bit steep for a team with myriad other needs.

 

The first big signing for the Fish this offseason.

[davell]

I'm not a fan of paying out big money for closers, especially older ones. That said, Bell for 3/27 seems like a much better option than 4/50 on Papelbon at least.

[A New Era]

I'm just curious. Marlins have been in the rumor mill for all of the big money free agents. I know they built a big new fancy park. But where did they get all the money? How did the turn into a big market team all of a sudden?

[TheDude]

Marlins ownership has been under hot water in the city for deceiving the council on their finances and getting the city to pay damn near the entirety of the new stadium. The reality is that the team was always financially profitable, they just claimed otherwise for leverage. Now it's a just a matter of 'spend money to make money' in order to boost interest/attendance.

[javy knows my name]

I'm just curious. Marlins have been in the rumor mill for all of the big money free agents. I know they built a big new fancy park. But where did they get all the money? How did the turn into a big market team all of a sudden?

 

Dude already kind of covered it. Just wanted to add that Jeffrey Loria is a horrible, deceitful, bottom line-humping businessman who hates baseball and now he's being forced to acknowledge his unfathomable wealth.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Marlins Plan To Non-Tender Juan Carlos Oviedo

By Mark Polishuk [December 1 at 10:44pm CST]

Now that the Marlins have agreed to terms with Heath Bell, the club won't be tendering Juan Carlos Oviedo a contract, a source tells Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio (Twitter link). Oviedo was projected to earn $5.8MM in arbitration this winter and would've almost certainly been non-tendered even if the Marlins hadn't signed a new closer. The non-tender deadline is December 12.

 

 

Would the Artist Formerly Known as Leo Nunez be a worthwhile buy low candidate if we were to trade Marmol?

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm just curious. Marlins have been in the rumor mill for all of the big money free agents. I know they built a big new fancy park. But where did they get all the money? How did the turn into a big market team all of a sudden?

 

Dude already kind of covered it. Just wanted to add that Jeffrey Loria is a horrible, deceitful, bottom line-humping businessman who hates baseball and now he's being forced to acknowledge his unfathomable wealth.

 

They also get a ton of money from the Yankees every year.

[fromthestretch]

Marlins ownership has been under hot water in the city for deceiving the council on their finances and getting the city to pay damn near the entirety of the new stadium. The reality is that the team was always financially profitable, they just claimed otherwise for leverage. Now it's a just a matter of 'spend money to make money' in order to boost interest/attendance.

 

 

I also think the offer to Pujols was more of a PR thing than a serious offer. It's a way for them to show the fans they're making an effort to spend, even though the offer was a bit of a low-ball offer.

[apete6]

Marlins Plan To Non-Tender Juan Carlos Oviedo

By Mark Polishuk [December 1 at 10:44pm CST]

Now that the Marlins have agreed to terms with Heath Bell, the club won't be tendering Juan Carlos Oviedo a contract, a source tells Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio (Twitter link). Oviedo was projected to earn $5.8MM in arbitration this winter and would've almost certainly been non-tendered even if the Marlins hadn't signed a new closer. The non-tender deadline is December 12.

 

 

Would the Artist Formerly Known as Leo Nunez be a worthwhile buy low candidate if we were to trade Marmol?

 

Apparently he may have visa problems and may not be cleared to play. Also, his Fly Ball % was almost 50% last year, not good for a closer in Wrigley.

[ctcf]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

Padres get a sandwich pick plus a 2nd rounder for losing bell

 

Was Bell a Type A?

[Guest]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

Padres get a sandwich pick plus a 2nd rounder for losing bell

 

Was Bell a Type A?

 

Miami's 1st rounder is protected.

[ctcf]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

Padres get a sandwich pick plus a 2nd rounder for losing bell

 

Was Bell a Type A?

 

Miami's 1st rounder is protected.

 

Ahhhhh. Thanks.

[champaignchris]

They'll be paying a relief pitcher $9M a year when he's 36. Yikes!

[UMFan83]

Congrats to Jim Hendry for his new job with the Marlins.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

They're going to be regretting that signing soon, if they don't already.