Sources: Heath Bell, Marlins agree - 美國職棒

Sources: Heath Bell, Marlins agree

espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7302467/miami-marlins-agree-closer-heath-bell-three-
year-deal-sources-say

http://tinyurl.com/cm4w7jg

The Miami Marlins and free-agent closer Heath Bell have agreed on a
three-year contract, pending a physical, sources told ESPN.com.

The two sides have been talking about a deal that would pay Bell $9 million a
year. The deal also includes a vesting option for a fourth year.

Bell is expected to take his physical Friday in Florida, the sources said.

It has been the Marlins' pursuit of Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols, Mark Buehrle
and C.J. Wilson that has generated the most Rumor Central buzz this offseason.

But with the future of their incumbent closer, Juan Oviedo (aka, Leo Nunez),
a major question because of an identity-discrepancy issue, the Marlins have
been quietly aggressive in their pursuit of Bell since the day the free-agent
negotiating period began four weeks ago.

The 34-year-old right-hander is coming off a 43-save season with the Padres
that made him the only closer in baseball who has saved 40-plus games in each
of the past three seasons.

The Padres have remained interested in re-signing Bell to a shorter deal. And
clubs in the closer market say the Angels and Blue Jays also had shown
interest.

While Bell's strikeout rate declined in 2011, from 11.1 strikeouts per nine
innings in 2010 to 7.3 this year, his average fastball velocity (94 mph),
WHIP (1.15), ERA (2.44) and opponent average (.223) were all in line with his
previous performance.

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