ESPN's Buster Olney added more fuel to the trade rumors fire today, tweeting that the pace has quickened in talks about San Diego relievers Mike Adams and Heath Bell.
The Texas Rangers have been linked to both relievers, with Olney saying back on July 17 that the Rangers were the favorite to land either Bell or Adams in a trade. Olney at the time was citing the ever popular "rival executives."
With Carlos Beltran ready to head to San Francisco, it's likely that the Rangers are going to focus their attention on acquiring a reliever to help shore up the bullpen, especially after last night's meltdown.
Jon Daniels would be well served not to make a trade as a knee-jerk reaction to last night's game, though, as Heath Bell will likely cost the Rangers at least one premium prospect. Bell has been good this year, with a 1.16 WHIP while holding opponents to a .216 average, but his K/9 is down to 6.75 - a far cry from the 11.06 it was in 2010. Bell has been good, but not dominant.
Adams, meanwhile, has been dominant setting Bell up. Bell has a .72 WHIP on the season, surrendering just 24 hits in 46 innings while walking just nine and striking out 47. Adams is likely to cost more than Bell, since Bell is an impending free agent.
We'll see in the coming days what, if anything Jon Daniels has up his sleeve for the 2011 Rangers.