MLB Trade Rumors – Heath Bell Nearing a Deal: Truth or Fiction?

MLB Trade Rumors has a nice timeline on their article from last night:

"11:55pm: Bell wrote on his personal Twitter account that there’s nothing going on: “The most exciting thing that happened today..put up my Christmas lights. No news people.”11:34pm: Bell told MLB.com’s Corey Brock that he hasn’t heard from his agent about a deal (Twitter link).11:07pm: Heath Bell is nearing a deal with an unknown team, according to Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio and ESPN.com (Twitter link). It will not cost a draft pick to sign Bell, a Type A free agent, even though the Padres offered him arbitration last week. San Diego would obtain two top 2012 draft picks if Bell signs elsewhere."

I’m not sure who Jim Bowden’s sources are, but these things turn out to be true only about 50% of the time.  If the rumors are true, I would expect an announcement today.  If there is no announcement today, we likely won’t hear anything until closer to the December 7th deadline for Heath Bell to either accept or reject arbitration.

According to reports, the Red Sox and the Angels are both interested in Bell.  Both have money to play with and need closers.  For now though, we will just have to wait and see.