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Sources: Heath Bell, Marlins agree


dolphann4life

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

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.

SweetSpot: Nothing Fishy in Miami

kahrl_christina_m.jpg

There is nothing fishy about the new-look Miami Marlins' interest in free-agent closer Heath Bell, writes Christina Kahrl.
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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.

Senior writer Jayson Stark covers Major League Baseball for ESPN.com.

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Miami trying to be a big spender again?

Why? Nobody goes to the games down there

Brand new state of the art stadium 5 minutes outside of Downtown Miami is going to draw better than a Football stadium in the middle of nowhere. Also add int he fact that is SunLife Stadium is a football stadium and was an awful venue for baseball viewing. The new stadium holds 40k compared to the 80k at Sunlife Stadium, so even when they don't draw massive crowds it won't feel as empty. I bought a 20 game plan package last week, so atleast there will be one person there lol.

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