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MLB Trade Rumors: Heath Bell Would Cost Rangers Three Top Prospects

It appears that the asking price is indeed quite high for San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell. ESPN's Jayson Stark said that rival executives expect to see Bell in Texas before the deadline is over - but that the Rangers are currently balking at the asking price - and I would be too. The asking price is apparently three of Texas' top dozen prospects, which is a price that is far too high for a closer who has simply not been dominant this year - and is a free agent after the end of the season.

Per Stark:

Other clubs still expect the Rangers to wind up with Bell. In fact, an official of one team who has been speaking with them went so far as to call it "a lock." But an executive of another club said Texas believes it's the only team out there that's pursuing Bell and truly matches up with the Padres' shopping needs. So Texas continues to balk at the asking price, which could be up to three of the Rangers' top dozen prospects, according to one executive who has spoken with both teams.    

If the Rangers have to give up even two of their top 10 prospects for Bell, then that's likely too much. It'd make more sense to use three top prospects among others in a package for Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez than it would for two months of Bell. 

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.