Giants Claim Heath Bell Off Waivers

[a700hitter]

AP Sources: Giants claim Padres’ Bell off waivers

 

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Baseball Writer 14 minutes ago

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—The San Francisco Giants have claimed San Diego closer Heath Bell(notes) off waivers, four people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

 

They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because baseball rules forbid the public discussion of waiver cases. Whether the reigning World Series champions will actually acquire Bell from the division rival Padres is unclear. Once Bell is claimed, San Diego has 48 hours to decide whether to trade the three-time All-Star, allow him to be claimed or pull him back from waivers.

 

There is also a theory that Giants general manager Brian Sabean might be trying to block NL West-leading Arizona—under first-year general manager and former Padres GM Kevin Towers—from landing Bell.

 

ESPN first reported the Giants had won the waiver claim for the 33-year-old Bell, who converted his 35th save in 39 opportunities in Tuesday’s 7-5 win over the Giants.

 

The burly right-hander, who sprints all out to the mound when summoned from the bullpen for his ninth-inning duties, had been a topic of trade rumors leading up to last month’s deadline. The Padres (60-70) sit in fourth place in the West and 10 1/2 games out of the lead after missing the playoffs on the final day of the season last year with a loss at San Francisco.

 

The Giants are beat up in the bullpen, with closer Brian Wilson(notes) and reliever Sergio Romo(notes) on the disabled list.

 

There is no timetable for when Wilson will get on a mound and test his inflamed right elbow, though there’s a chance he could return in early September for the stretch run. Wilson has declined to discuss his injury.

 

One person familiar with the situation said it could take a lot for the Giants to land Bell, an investment they might only make if they thought Wilson would be out for the remainder of the season.

 

Wilson was last season’s majors saves leader with 48, while Bell had 47.

 

San Francisco began the day two games back of the Diamondbacks in the division race.

 

Romo returned to San Francisco last week from the team’s 10-game road trip to be checked out by team doctors. He has pain in the back of his elbow, but it wasn’t considered serious.

 

San Francisco also has lefty starters Jonathan Sanchez(notes) and Barry Zito(notes) on the DL, meaning they’ve had to bring up pitchers from Triple-A Fresno.

 

AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed to this story.

[Palodios]

I hope they get him. If the Phillies end up facing the Diamondback/Braves in the playoffs, they'll plow through to the WS without a sweat. The Giants will give them much more of a challenge.

[BornToRun]

Indeed, I'm in full-on "Root Against the Phillies" mode. I hope to God someone knocks their asses out before we're the ones that have to do it. I think we can beat them, but I'd rather not have to.

[italstallianion]

I'd honestly be surprised if the Sox made it to the WS to face the Phillies. But that said, I don't want to see Philly in the WS if I get there.

[ORS]

I hope they get him. If the Phillies end up facing the Diamondback/Braves in the playoffs' date=' they'll plow through to the WS without a sweat. The Giants will give them much more of a challenge.[/quote']

I don't think so. I think the Braves match up at least as well as the Giants against the Phillies. They have a better offense, a good rotation, and probably the best back-end bullpen in baseball.

[Palodios]

I don't think so. I think the Braves match up at least as well as the Giants against the Phillies. They have a better offense' date=' a good rotation, and probably the best back-end bullpen in baseball.[/quote']

 

Heath Bell would stabilize the Giant's hurting bullpen, and although that wouldn't make it as good as Atlanta's by any means, it would go a long way. But it is all about starting pitching, and I just don't think Jurrjenn and Hudson will outduel Philadelphia like Lincecum and Cain could.

[ORS]

Heath Bell would stabilize the Giant's hurting bullpen' date=' and although that wouldn't make it as good as Atlanta's by any means, it would go a long way. But it is all about starting pitching, and I just don't think Jurrjenn and Hudson will outduel Philadelphia like Lincecum and Cain could.[/quote']

Well, you mysteriously ommitting two of Atlanta's better starters, Beachy and Hanson, from that comparison.

[Palodios]

Well' date=' you mysteriously ommitting two of Atlanta's better starters, Beachy and Hanson, from that comparison.[/quote']

 

It is not mystery. Beachy is an unproven rookie who is averaging 5.7 IP a game, and Hanson is battling injuries and has had a pretty underwhelming season. Lincecum, Cain, and even Vogelsong have had significantly better seasons. Starting pitching dominated the NL last year, and I full expect it to do so again this year.

[ORS]

It is not mystery. Beachy is an unproven rookie who is averaging 5.7 IP a game' date=' and Hanson is battling injuries and has had a pretty underwhelming season. [b']Lincecum, Cain, and even Vogelsong have had significantly better seasons.[/b] Starting pitching dominated the NL last year, and I full expect it to do so again this year.

It's not siginifantly better if you look at their pitching components, which tends to correlate better to actual pitching talent (and projections of future performance). I'd prefer the Giants rotation too, but the Braves aren't as bad as you are making it out to be, and they are superior in the other facets of the game, ie bullpen and offense.

[Palodios]

It's not siginifantly better if you look at their pitching components' date=' which tends to correlate better to actual pitching talent (and projections of future performance). I'd prefer the Giants rotation too, but the Braves aren't as bad as you are making it out to be, and they are superior in the other facets of the game, ie bullpen and offense.[/quote']

 

I'm not saying the Braves have a bad rotation at all. But my impression is that they have a bunch of #2s, whereas Philly has three #1s, and San Fran has two.

[SoxSport]

No deal on Bell. They probably asked for Lincecum or Cain.

[ORS]

The fact that the Giants can't even overcome the Diamondbacks in the standings makes me seriously doubt their ability to be the only team that could beat the Phillies in the NL playoffs. Yes, their starting pitching is good, but they are pretty much s*** everywhere else.

[redsoxjz1]

I think it's now quite evident that Philly is the team to beat. Their pitching is something else and as we all know, pitching is what really matters come the postseason.

[BornToRun]

I think it's now quite evident that Philly is the team to beat. Their pitching is something else and as we all know' date=' pitching is what really matters come the postseason.[/quote']

 

I really am scared by the thought of having to play them in the WS, hopefully someone knocks them off.