Heath Bell Will Continue To Close Games For The Miami Marlins
Heath Bell has struggled in huge ways since “taking his talents to South Beach”. I should know, he’s one of my closers in fantasy baseball. The Miami Marlins were expected to contend after throwing all sorts of money at Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, and Bell. It hasn’t transitioned much as the Marlins have gotten off to a poor start, with an Ozzie Guillen suspension mixed in the middle. A major problem has been Heath Bell, and his lack of ability to close games this year. In a not a surprise move, the Marlins are claiming to stick with Bell as it’s closer.
In an ESPN article, the Marlins had this to say:
“As Ozzie Guillen says he will do at every position on his underachieving club, he will consider a change soon if Bell doesn’t get back on track. After getting tagged for two runs in a non-save situation in the ninth inning of Miami’s 9-5 home loss to the Diamondbacks on Monday, the burly right-hander entered Tuesday 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA with two saves and three blown saves in eight appearances spanning 6 2/3 innings. Bell, however, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth Tuesday for his third save as the Miami beat San Francisco 2-1.
“Plain and simple, it shows the confidence that Ozzie and the coaching staff have that it will turn around for me,” Bell said after the victory. “I think that’s why they put me out there.”
“He has to make an adjustment,” Guillen said before the game. “He’s our closer. We have a better ballclub when Heath Bell is in the closer’s spot.”
I don’t exactly disagree with it all, as Bell has been one of the best closers in baseball for quite awhile. It’s surprising to see him struggle, and frankly- I think the contract has something to do with it. He’s trying to do to much, and when you do that- location is the one thing that’ll struggle. If you struggle with location in the 9th inning, you lose games.
I woiuldn’t get rid of Bell just yet, but keep an eye on the situation.
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