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The Miami Marlins have signed closer Heath Bell to a three year, $27 million contract, making their first splash of the offseason.
While initial reactions to the Miami Marlins' deal with Heath Bell have ranged from excited to sour, this move clearly signifies one thing: the Marlins don't intend to keep Juan Oviedo (AKA, Leo Nunez) as their closer next season. Oviedo had a middling year as the Marlins' closer in 2011, saving 36 games but posting a 4.06 ERA in the process, and he was facing ongoing legal and visa issues due to the revelation that he was playing under an assumed name.
Due to all these factors, according to Jim Bowden from ESPN Radio, the Marlins intend to non-tender Juan Oviedo. He is eligible for arbitration this offseason and would likely make around $6 million if offered a contract, so it appears the Marlins aren't going to take that risk. They have their new closer, so they can cut and run on Oviedo, saving themselves some money in the process.
While the length of Heath Bell's contract is extreme, it should be a good deal in 2012. The Marlins will only be paying Bell a few million more than what Oviedo would be making, yet Bell is a considerably better pitcher than him and doesn't come with extra baggage. The Marlins may end up regretting this contract by 2014, but for right now, it's a solid improvement to their team.
For more on Miami, visit SB Nation's blog on the Marlins, Fish Stripes.
Late Thursday night, the Miami Marlins signed right-handed reliever Heath Bell to a 3-year contract with an option for a fourth. Bell has been a top-tier closer with the San Diego Padres since 2009, collecting 40+ saves over the last three years.
In 2011, the Marlins had Leo Nunez / Juan Oviedo as their closer, but he sported a less-than-great 4.06 ERA and 3.96 FIP. However, Nunez / Oviedo sported a strong shutdown / meltdown ratio -- a ratio better than even Bell's.
The truth is: Bell is a proven ace reliever. Nothing changes that. He has been pitching at a high level for multiple years, and even though his strikeout rate was a career low 19% in 2011, he should be a lock for another 30+ shutdowns in 2012.
However, is the timing right?
Jayson Stark of ESPN has broken the first major signing for the new Miami Marlins franchise. It appears the Marlins have come to terms with free agent relief ace Heath Bell:
@jaysonst
Jayson Stark#Marlins agree to 3-year $27M deal w Heath Bell, pending physical. Expected to take physical tomorrow. More to come at http://t.co/o5eb6fmG
9 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto
The deal, which is worth an average of $9M per year and has an option for a fourth year, should give the Marlins one of the most dominant closers in the game. In the 2011 season, Bell pitched 62 and 2/3 innings with the San Diego Padres, earning 43 saves, 31 shutdowns, and just 8 meltdowns.
Last year, the Marlins employed Leo Nunez, now (or always, in a way) Juan Oviedo, as their closer. In his 64+ innings as the 9th inning man, he managed 36 saves with a below average 4.06 ERA and 3.96 FIP.
Interestingly, Nunez had the same number of meltdowns as Bell while also managing two more shutdowns.
For more on the Marlins, check out SB Nation's blog on the Marlins, Fish Stripes.
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Marlins Sign Reyes; OMG, Amirite?
by Bradley Woodrum
"The Marlins aren't serious."
"It's just a marketing ploy."
"The SEC investigation has ended the New Marlins before they began."
As those three fake quotes demonstrate, very few people believed the Miami Marlins could do it. The Marlins could never make the free agent kersploosh they were hoping to make. There was no way Jose Reyes or Heath Bell or -- dare I say? -- Albert Pujols or Mark Buehrle will take the Marlins seriously.
Well, Heath Bell took them seriously. And now Jose Reyes -- the best shortstop on the market -- has taken them seriously.
And now that the Albert Pujols age rumor has gone from sure, whatever to ohhhh my, the Marlins could potentially get him with an offer slightly above the current St. Louis Cardinals offer ($200M, 9-year contract).
Oh, and apparently there are three teams left in the Buehrle hunt, and two of them are NL teams. Could the Marlins be about to make another splash?
I, for one, will no longer doubt it.
Dec 04 11:27p