By the way, I think Reyes should be a candidate for FOTG; his defense saved two runs tonight.

My points were:

1) The Marlins are just spending money that they apparently have to spend so I, as a fan, do not care.

2) The Marlins are just doing what most teams in the big leagues do.

 

And those are poor reasons to defend the signing.

 

You said that you had "no problem with paying for an elite reliever." I think that almost categorically that's a bad move because the margin of error for a closer is especially fine given their volatility. There are many cases of relievers (particularly closers) having several "consistent" seasons of being lights out and then suddenly falling off of a cliff. It's just not something that I would ever consider a smart baseball move and that's not just speaking in hindsight.

 

"No problem with paying for an elite reliever" is not exactly the same as "wise investment."

 

Also, Bell was our first signing. I'm not saying this for sure because I do not know, but if Bell doesn't sign...perhaps Reyes doesn't sign here. The Bell signing could have been symbolic to some other free agents in getting them here.

 

Reyes probably could've waited things out a bit and gotten more money. Going by the market and advanced metric projections, we basically got Reyes at a bargain.

 

The team had money to spend and they spent it.

 

Another reason why people hated the Bell signing was because it was going to prevent us from spending on other players according to some. I thought that was false considering we still went after Pujols, and, more realistically, Cespedes.

 

As for what you said about relievers in general, I won't disagree because it's absolutely true and history proves it.

Although Bell was overpaid in my opinion, I think we need to stop treating his recent poor performance as a lost cause. It has only been a month into the season, Bell will come around. He may be injured since his velocity is a bit off. I'm sure by mid-season this will all be forgotten. But I think we need to move him to set-up or middle relief, and put Chisek in as closer for the time being.

 

But no need to sound the alarm this early, if we should be worried about anything it is our offense which has been terrible, especially since no one in particular is stepping up.

2011

Padres win (now and then) because of Bell.

 

2012

Marlins win (now and then) despite Bell.

Padres of the east?

Also, Bell was our first signing. I'm not saying this for sure because I do not know, but if Bell doesn't sign...perhaps Reyes doesn't sign here. The Bell signing could have been symbolic to some other free agents in getting them here.

 

Reyes probably could've waited things out a bit and gotten more money. Going by the market and advanced metric projections, we basically got Reyes at a bargain.

 

.

 

 

I believe they both signed on the same day, so saying who signed first is just a technicality that isn't even worth mentioning.

 

The second part is just totally wrong. We went after Reyes the very minute we were legally able to. The very minute. The only thing holding him back was waiting to see if the Mets would offer him something. Bell had nothing to do with it. Doubt very much if the Buhrle signing had anything to do with Bell either. That was more of an Ozzie thing.

 

FWIW....I was all for the Bell signing. Still am. He really needs to get this crap sorted out tho. Huge disappointment so far.

 

Also, I'm not getting all giddy about literally and luckily scratching out a couple of wins vs a team that is hitting worse than we are so far this season. Give me a few games in a row where we hit with RISP and score 5 or 6 runs and only then will I think the team is coming around.

Spending an extra $3.5m a year on Papelbon as of right now would have been a better move.

 

Then again, I'd rather not spend $12.5m a year on a closer if Shek can do a good job for the minimum.

Heath bells is one of the biggest mistakes the marlins have ever made, nice win, keep it up

I am so glad I went to bed after the 8th. Phew.

I find it ridiculous that Bell was used to try and close out this game at all. Absolutely inexcusable.

Bell said he apologized to Zambrano, Big Z told him no worries.

 

-Cappozi

 

Zambrano seems like a completely different person here. Glad to see his anger issues are (apparently) behind him for now.

 

Nah, I think Z will take Bell to the backroom and kick his toe. No anger in public.

Heath bell is a fat joke, most hatted man in miami right now

Heath bell is a fat joke, most hatted man in miami right now

 

 

I know - why does he wear so many hats?

The best thing for Bell is to be sent out in the ninth when the Marlins are four+ runs up. Unfortunately I can't see that opportunity arising for a while.

It would be nice to use him in a blowout....

It would be nice to use him in a blowout....

 

Rich: "And the Marlins are up by 15, and Bell comes in..."

*Later* Rich: "Marlins lead reduced to 2 on just 6 pitches from Bell."

Tommy: "How the hell...?"

By the way, I think Reyes should be a candidate for FOTG; his defense saved two runs tonight.

 

 

People have been overlooking our defense, but it has been crucial these last 2 wins.

Why does Bell want us to lose? I dont get it?

Look out! The Sky is falling!!!

reyes may have saved two runs, but tbh i expect most major league shortstops to be able to stop those balls from going into the outfield from where they were

Maybe we can trade Bell to a contender in the deadline?? If the guys has saved 40 games a year for the last 3 seasons I don't see why the red sox or the Rangers or someone like that wouldn't take him...

Assuming of course that his ERA parachutes back to earth...

Maybe we can trade Bell to a contender in the deadline?? If the guys has saved 40 games a year for the last 3 seasons I don't see why the red sox or the Rangers or someone like that wouldn't take him...

Assuming of course that his ERA parachutes back to earth...

His ERA yesterday was infinity. He gave up 2 runs on 0.0 innings pitched.

His ERA yesterday was infinity. He gave up 2 runs on 0.0 innings pitched.

 

 

haha, gotta love it, say no way in hell to Bell!

 

At least we can go for the sweep today, lets get some runs baby.

Heath bell is a fat joke, most hatted man in miami right now

 

Spelling mistake aside, I don't get this attitude. Do you think Bell is deliberately trying to sabotage games, or is being a slacker in some ways? What's with the personal hatred of people who are going through a rough stretch?

 

Odds are he's more mortified than anyone that this is happening to him and the team. Do you think he doesn't care that he looks like a goat almost every time he takes the mound these days? If he's been lying to the Marlins in any way about his physical fitness or hasn't been putting in a 100% effort, then fine, he deserves to be knocked for that (but hated?), but so far nobody's supplied any evidence to support that.

 

We'll see what happens in next few days, but from what Ozzie said after the game, Bell is already no longer the closer, and will be given a chance to correct his problems in other relief situations. I, for hope, hope he does, because having a reliable 40-save closer in your side gives us a better chance of getting to the playoffs. If it turns out he's a bust, then fine, he was a bad investment, but unless Bell has done something foolish or selfish to destroy his own form, even then, why the hate?