SB Nation Arizona - Heath Bell trade: Diamondbacks acquire Marlins closerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2012-10-21T10:00:22-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/32971612012-10-21T10:00:22-07:002012-10-21T10:00:22-07:00Why isn't David Hernandez going to be the closer?
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>The D-backs now have a nasty back end of the bullpen. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> surprised mostly everyone when they exercised option of closer J.J Putz on Saturday and then turned around and traded outfielder Chris Young for a couple of players, one of whom was then flipped to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> for reliever <span>Heath Bell</span>.</p>
<p>While Bell did not pitch well in 2012, the D-backs know all too well how good he is, having faced him for many years when he was a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>.</p>
<p>But the big question is -- why?</p>
<p>Well, general manager loves bullpen arms. The Arizona bullpen now counts on Putz to close, with Bell and David Hernandez to get to Putz. Then there is <span>Brad Ziegler</span>, who had a superb season in 2012 and a collection of others. </p>
<p>While the money it cost to bring him (Arizona is reportedly going to pay $13 million of the remaining $21 million on Bell's deal), this trade is good for now and for later. </p>
<p>Putz will not be back after 2013. Acquiring Bell solidifies the bullpen now, and it gives the team another potential closer for 2014. </p>
<p>It has long been supposed that when Putz left the team, it would be David Hernandez that would assume the closer's role. That might still happen, but now there will be competition for the job. And, as sports goes, there is one adage that is considered Gospel -- competition makes players better. </p>
<p>There is also another possibility. Maybe the team is not completely sure whether or not Hernandez is going to make a good full-time closer. After all, the team could have let Putz go, saving $6.5 million, and handed Herny the job. He did close in 2011 when Putz was out with injury, and he did very well. </p>
<p>However, the team chose not to. Then they went and traded for another closer. </p>
<p>There is nothing that says more about how confident a team is in a player than the moves they make. </p>
<p>If the team really believed that Hernandez was up for the job, you would think that the job would be his now. But it isn't and Bell will still be on the roster in 2014. The team has $19.5 million over two years locked up in guys that close games. </p>
<p>What does that say about Hernandez?</p>
<p>Now, I do not deny that this move makes the team better. On paper, Bell, Herny and Putz is a devastating combination from the seventh inning and on. It certainly appears more dominating than Brad Ziegler/<span>Matt Lindstrom</span>, Herny and Putz. </p>
<p>I like the trade -- I think. Bell had a down year. He probably will bounce back. But he pitched for many years at a very pitcher-friendly park in Petco Park in San Diego. Then he leaves and struggles. Now he is coming to a very hitter-friendly park in Chase Field. It may backfire. </p>
<p>I am not criticizing the move, but I do think that the move raises eyebrows in this one sense -- why didn't they let Hernandez take over as closer when they could have done it and saved a ton of money. That money could be used for a third baseman or other relievers. </p>
<p>Instead, it looks like it may be 2015 at the earliest that David Hernandez is the team's closer. And if we are looking at that far away, it makes me think that it will never happen.</p>
<p>It's a good trade. It's just interesting. </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/10/21/3533196/mlb-trade-rumors-diamondbacks-marlins-heath-bell-david-hernandezJess Root2012-10-20T13:59:54-07:002012-10-20T13:59:54-07:00Diamondbacks deal Chris Young for Cliff Pennington
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<figcaption>Tasos Katopodis</figcaption>
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<p>The Diamondbacks sent outfielder Chris Young to Oakland for two players and cash.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> and <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> have completed a trade that will sent outfielder Chris Young to the A's in exchange of infielders <span>Cliff Pennington</span> and <span>Yordy Cabrera</span>, as well as cash considerations, <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/259749745122213888">the D-Backs reported on Saturday</a>.</p>
<p>Young has played six seasons with Arizona. He is a player that Oakland is famous for chasing, as he is good at drawing walks and has some power. Young's best year as a major-leaguer came in 2010, when he hit .247/.341/.452 with 27 home runs while playing centerfield. For his career, Young is a .239/.318/.434 hitter.</p>
<p>Pennington just finished his fourth year. The shortstop has shown little power, hitting .239/.313/.356 in 1748 career at bats, but is still under club control and making considerably less than Young.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/259749799765606400">The D-backs immediately flipped Cabrera</a> to the Miami <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a> for right-handed pitcher <span>Heath Bell</span> and cash considerations. Cabrera is 22-years old and spent the last season in A ball.</p>
<p>This story <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/10/20/3531384/chris-young-trade-athletics-diamondbacks">originally appeared on Baseball Nation</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/10/20/3531456/chris-young-trade-diamondbacks-deal-of-for-bill-penningtonCraig Powers2012-10-20T13:55:23-07:002012-10-20T13:55:23-07:00Diamondbacks deal for Heath Bell
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<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Arizona dealt for Marlins closer Heath Bell, who struggled in Miami in 2012 after signing a 3-year, $27 million contract before the season.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> have acquired closer <span>Heath Bell</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> in exchange for infielder <span>Yordy Cabrera</span>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/259749799765606400">according to the Diamondbacks' official Twitter account</a>.</p>
<p>Bell, 35, signed with the Marlins as a free agent prior to the 2012 season. He struggled in his lone season in Miami, posting a 5.09 ERA 63⅔ innings, while walking a career-high 4.1 batters per nine innings. He'll return to the NL West, where he was one of baseball's best bullpen arms during a five-year stretch with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>. In 2010, Bell racked up 47 saves to go along with a 1.93 ERA and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings.</p>
<p>The Diamondbacks will also receive cash considerations from the Marlins, who owed $18 million to Bell over the next two seasons.</p>
<p>Cabrera and fellow Infielder <span>Cliff Pennington</span> were dealt to the Diamondbacks earlier in the day by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a>, with outfielder Chris Young going to the A's in return. Cabrera was then sent to Miami for Bell.</p>
<p>This story <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/10/20/3531364/heath-bell-trade-diamondbacks-marlins">originally appeared on Baseball Nation</a>.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/10/20/3531438/heath-bell-trade-diamondbacks-marlinsBryan Kilpatrick2012-10-20T09:40:15-07:002012-10-20T09:40:15-07:00Putz's option picked up by Diamondbacks
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<figcaption>Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The D-backs will keep closer J.J. Putz for the 2013 season.</p> <p><span>J.J. Putz</span> has been a great find for the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> since the two sides agreed to a deal two offseasons ago. On Saturday, the D-backs announced they will pick up Putz's contract option for 2013, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/259688830158897152">according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick</a>.</p>
<p>Putz will earn $6.5 million next season. He took home $4.5 million in 2012. Arizona could have declined the option for a $1.5 million buyout.</p>
<p>For a team that saw their bullpen really struggle over the years, Putz has solidified the unit and has been impressive in the ninth inning. The 35-year-old reliever recorded 32 saves last season after setting a career high in 2011 with 45. Putz's ERA was 2.82, as he utilized a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.91.</p>
<p>For the price, a team really can't ask for more out of their closer. Assume a similar role and production for Putz next season in what could be his final year in the desert.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2012/10/20/3530484/mlb-trade-rumors-jj-putz-diamondbacksScott Coleman