Discuss.

Chose the last option. Relievers are volatile.

 

If Heath Bell isn't moveable (and it looks like he's not), give him another shot. That is, unless he has some serious trouble in Spring Training.

I chose "we'll see."

 

I agree that relievers are volatile and there's a chance that Bell rebounds next year. His peripherals and career, in general, show that he should be nowhere near this bad, results-wise. If he can be decent, I'd go with him again because I feel like middle relief is often the more important role in a given game, anyway. I like Cishek in high-leverage situations (especially as someone you can matchup with since he's so awesome against righties) and I also like that Cishek is capable of going more than one inning in a given appearance.

 

With that said, after the year he's had this year, Bell would have to be rather phenomenal in Spring Training to get the role back.

 

As things are now, Bell has been so bad this year that I think the Marlins are pretty intent on having Cishek close pending he continues to do well.

Went with "we'll see". I think Bell should get another shot next year. If things don't look better at least through April, then Cishek can slide into the role.

Went with "we'll see". I think Bell should get another shot next year. If things don't look better at least through April, then Cishek can slide into the role.

 

 

Kinda my thoughts. But I still favor a 'it's Bell's position to lose' going into the season mentality.

I love Cishek, but you have to give Bell a chance to see if he can reclaim any sense of his former self. If Bell succeeds it at least increases his appeal in a trade, not to mention the fact he's finally doing his job for us.

 

If he sucks again at least we know we have Cishek ready to take the role.

I like Cishek, but Bell ain't going anywhere. No one is going to eat his contract, and trading him away leaves open the possibility that he regains some form, and we end up looking like fools and eating most of his salary.

 

Cishek is very young, he can be the safety net for Bell, and step up if he continues to be garbage.

I'd give Bell one more chance...lefties against Cishek kinda scare me...

I'm tired of giving Bell any more chances, keep Cishek in the closing role. He's done a great job

Let him and Heath Bell battle it out in spring training. I'm not sold on Cishek or Bell for that matter but let em battle.

Well see.

Well see.

 

Well said.

His opp avg against lefty make me hesitant.

Well see.

 

Well said.

 

We'll said.

Yes, "relievers are volatile."

 

Bell was overpaid (I believe that all free agent closers are) given his age and the dip in numbers from 2010 and 2011. Given his struggles this season (and he's still kind of sucked since he's been out of the closer's role), you try to dump that salary any way you can. Try putting him on irrevocable waivers or see if another team is willing to eat most of that salary. If that can't be worked out and the Marlins are stuck with him, let him try closing again to begin the season. But make an active attempt to shed that salary.

 

The alternative does not necessarily need to be Cishek for closer. I personally like Cishek more in middle relief. The Marlins should try someone else in that role (possibly someone from an offseason acquisition). You don't need to overpay for a "proven" closer to get outs in the ninth inning. Do it on the cheap and sell the arm down the road when the rest of the teams in MLB overvalue him.