Heath Bell blew another save Friday, giving up back-to-back doubles to start the ninth against the Padres.

Bell was able to preserve the tie against his former team, though it took some luck, as Chris Denorfia barely missed a game-winning single foul. Also, it helped out that the Padres gave him an out by bunting Cameron Maybin from second to third. It'd be pretty stunning if Bell sees another save chance right away after this. Edward Mujica might be the favorite for saves in the short term.

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters Thursday that he's sticking with Heath Bell at closer.

"We're a better team with Bell closing," Guillen said. "There's no doubt. That's what we want. That's what I want." The 34-year-old right-hander has allowed 12 runs on 13 hits in 7 2/3 innings this season for an 11.74 ERA and stands just 3-for-6 in save opportunities. But the Fish are tied to him for the next three years at a whopping $27 million and apparently aren't willing to throw in the towel until things turn really ugly. Steve Cishek, Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica will remain in setup roles for now.

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was noncommittal Wednesday when asked whether Heath Bell is still his closer.

"My job is to win games," Guillen told reporters after Bell yielded two runs on three hits Wednesday against the Giants. "I'm going to put the best guy we think is doing the job there. This is a tough call to any position because we spend a lot of money on this kid (Bell). I've got to put my best guy out there, and right now he's not our best guy." Steve Cishek is worth grabbing in most fantasy leagues. Edward Mujica could also see save chances.

Heath Bell's disastrous 2012 season got a little bit worse on Wednesday against the Giants as he blew his fourth save of the season.

Taking over with a 2-0 lead, Bell surrendered hits to all three hitters he faced, pushing across a run and leaving the tying run at third with no outs. While the Marlins have questionably invested a large amount of money in Bell, they would be wise to remove him from the closer's role and replace him with Steve Cishek. If Cishek is available in your league, now would be the time to run to the waiver wire and grab him.

Heath Bell recorded his third save with a perfect ninth against the Giants on Tuesday.

Bell retired Brandon Belt, Nate Schierholtz and Ryan Theriot in order to protect a 2-1 lead. It was his first scoreless appearance since April 19, though since he had pitched just twice since then, it's possible rust was an issue.

Heath Bell allowed four earned runs in the top of the ninth inning Saturday, blowing his second save of the season as the Marlins fell late to the Astros.

Bell, who is now 0-for-2 in save opportunities with the Fish, simply didn't look comfortable on Saturday night. The Marlins felt good about landing the 34-year-old right-hander on a three-year, $27 million free agent contract this winter, but he displayed diminished velocity last season with the Padres and has stunk it up in his first couple looks with his new team. That contract will provide a nice leash on the ninth-inning role, but Bell can no longer be considered a top fantasy option.

Heath Bell blew his first save chance as a Marlin Sunday, giving up two runs on four hits while retiring just one batter in a loss to the Reds.

Jay Bruce took Bell deep leading off the inning to tie the game, and after retiring Miguel Cairo, the closer allowed three straight singles to take the loss. While he'll surely be fine for most of the year, Bell's strikeout rate was way down last year, so some regression is possible.

Heath Bell notched his first save of the spring with a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday versus the Nationals.

Bell hasn't allowed a run in six innings this spring. He struck out two in a perfect ninth today.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Heath Bell's new three-year, $27 million contract with the Marlins also includes a $9 million vesting option for 2015.

In other words, the total value of the contract could reach $36 million if Bell reaches the necessary bench marks to trigger the vesting option. The 34-year-old right-hander displayed a declining strikeout rate in 2011 for the Padres, but he should be able to retire batters in different ways at the back end of the Miami bullpen going forward. He'll be a decent fantasy option at closer next year.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Marlins have agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with Heath Bell.

The contract will be finalized after the veteran right-hander takes a physical Friday in Miami. Bell, 34, has posted a dominant 2.36 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over the past three seasons in San Diego and is likely to make a fine closer for the Marlins, but $9 million per year does seem a bit steep for a team with myriad other needs. His strikeout rate has been on a rather steep decline.

SI.com's Jon Heyman believes the Marlins are the favorite to sign free agent closer Heath Bell.

The Blue Jays have also expressed serious interest. Bell, 34, posted a 2.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 51/21 K/BB ratio in 62 2/3 innings this year while saving 43 games in 48 opportunities. He's probably hoping to cash in after watching Jonathan Papelbon sign a four-year, $50 million deal with Philly.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Blue Jays are also pursuing free agent Heath Bell.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that three teams are in on free agent closer Heath Bell.

Confirming multiple reports, Rosenthal hears that the Marlins are one of them. The identities of the other teams aren't yet known, but the Padres would appear to be priced out of the bidding. Thanks to Jonathan Papelbon's recent four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies, Bell should be able to find the three-year deal he desires.

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Marlins have met with free agent closer Heath Bell.

Heyman adds that the Marlins "seem very agressive" and that "this is no publicity stunt." Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM reported early Thursday morning that Bell was close to a deal with an unknown team, but the veteran closer quickly took to Twitter to deny those claims. The 34-year-old right-hander is believed to be aiming for a three-year deal.

Heath Bell was offered arbitration by the Padres.

Bell has already drawn free agent interest from a number of major league clubs and is sure to decline the Padres' arbitration offer. He's a Type A free agent, but will not cost the team that signs him a draft pick per the new rules of the collective bargaining agreement.

Heath Bell told Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Tuesday that he isn't sure whether he will return to San Diego next season.

Bell has previously said that he would be willing to accept a discount to stay in San Diego, but his thinking may have changed now that the Padres have a new GM and Jonathan Papelbon signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies. "I told my guys that if there is any shot for San Diego, hold onto it," explained Bell. "But I haven't really heard anything from the Padres since they changed general managers. Right now, I have no idea what to expect. But I think there's going to be a three-year deal out there from someone. And that's what I'd like to have. I'd rather stay on the West Coast. But I still have a home in Florida." The 34-year-old right-hander once said he would accept arbitration if offered, but he doesn't appear as likely to do so now. For what it's worth, Bell floated the Red Sox as a potential destination.

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Padres are "not too optimistic" they can re-sign Heath Bell.

The Padres have offered Bell a two-year deal, but Heyman speculates that he could probably receive a three-year contract valued at more than $30 million. While the 34-year-old right-hander has previously indicated that he would like to stay in San Diego and would even accept arbitration if offered, Jonathan Papelbon's lucrative four-year contract with the Phillies could change his line of thinking.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that the Red Sox are not sold on Daniel Bard as their closer and in on the bidding for both Ryan Madson and Heath Bell.

Bard arguably has better stuff than both Madson and Bell, but his struggles down the stretch might have convinced the Red Sox not to entrust him with the ninth inning just yet. Bell wants to stay in San Diego and has said he'd take a hometown discount, but the Red Sox might be able to blow him away with an offer.

The Padres will likely offer Heath Bell arbitration, according to new GM Josh Byrnes.

The Padres have held talks with Heath Bell's agent about a new contract and the Padres might be willing to give Bell a two-year deal worth between $15-16 million with an option for a third year. Bell, however, wants three years guaranteed. The free agent could get a bigger contract elsewhere, even in a crowded market for closer-types, but he has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in San Diego.

The Padres have held talks with Heath Bell's agent about a new contract, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune recently reported that the Padres are willing to give Bell a two-year deal worth between $15-16 million with an option for a third year, but the veteran closer wants three years guaranteed. The impending free agent could get a bigger contract elsewhere, even in a crowded market for closer-types, but he has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in San Diego.