Scott Rolen Leads Cardinals Hall Of Fame Hopefuls

Scott Rolen headlines a group of players on the 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot with ties to St. Louis.

St. Louis Official Site

Rollie Fingers Ranked #3 On Padres Closer List

We end my offseason project of naming the top five Padres at each position with identifying the top closers in the history of the franchise.

San Diego Official Site

Luke Gregerson Has Fond Memories Of Time With Padres

Luke Gregerson and Joe Thatcher weren't original Padres, but their time playing for the organization will always resonate in a special way as long as they continue to play.

San Diego Official Site

Heath Bell's Final Toll: Longtime Closer Elects To Retire

Heath Bell turned down the stereo long enough in his 31-foot Fleetwood RV on Tuesday afternoon to take a few questions about the next chapter in his life, although he didn't take the foot off the gas pedal, as he bombed his way across the Florida Panhandle.

San Diego Official Site

Nationals Release Heath Bell

Chris Cotillo Twitter

Scott McGregor & Eric Fornataro Invited To Nationals' Spring Camp

Another veteran invitee hoping to contend for a 40-man spot is Manny Delcarmen, who spent last season at Triple-A Syracuse. The former Red Sox right-hander pitched in 46 games last year, striking out 8.2 batters per nine innings and allowing two homers in 60 1/3 innings. Bruce Billings, a longtime minor league right-hander who can start and relieve, will also be in camp. Billings has pitched in five big-league games in his career, most recently for the Yankees in 2014. Mitch Lively and Scott McGregor, righties who spent parts of last season in Syracause, will report to big-league spring training, too.

Washington Post

Gary LaRocque With Redbird Rants 1-27-15

St. Louis Cardinals farm director Gary LaRocque took some time recently to talk with Redbird Rants.

Redbird Rants

Nationals Sign Heath Bell To Minors Deal With Spring Invite

Alaska is a long way from the Major Leagues. Alaska is a long way from most things, really. But that’s where I was, a 19-year-old kid from Orange County with a dream to play in the pros. I’d be lying to you if I told you my plans were playing out exactly as I’d hoped. I was a pitcher for the Anchorage Bucs, a summer collegiate league team with an average attendance in the hundreds. I slept in a room with two bunk beds in a host family’s suburban home. Did I mention I had to learn to adjust my sleep schedule to a place with 22 hours of daylight?

The Players Tribue

Free Agent Profile: Luke Gregerson

Luke Gregerson has been one of baseball’s top setup men since his 2009 rookie season, and he posted a career-best 2.12 ERA this year. Interest will be strong on the 30-year-old, who will be seeking the first multiyear deal of his career.

MLB Trade Rumors

Heath Bell Takes Rest Of Season Off, Hopes To Catch On In 2015

Barry Bloom Twitter

Cardinals One Of Several Teams In On Bidding For Brandon Poulson

The Athletics, Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Phillies and Yankees all got in on the action, but the Twins and Braves were the teams at the end. The day after the Healdsburg performance, the Twins called Poulson and said they could go up to $250,000. Poulson told Minnesota he felt he could get a $350,000-plus offer if he wanted to extend the bidding war. “The Twins told me I had 30 minutes to make up my mind,” Poulson said.

Baseball America

Yankees Release Heath Bell

Bryan Hoch Twitter

Cardinals Watching Rays Closely

The Cardinals have been watching the Rays closely recently, the Giants and Dodgers (whom many around baseball consider the favorites for Price) at times. The Braves, especially after Gavin Floyd's injury, seem like a possibility, and maybe there's a surprise candidate, such as the Marlins, who also were scouting Price on Friday. Among other AL teams, the Angels, A's and Indians seem likely candidates.

Tampa Bay Times

Yankees Sign Heath Bell To Minors Deal

LoHud Blog Twitter

Heath Bell Opts Out With Orioles

Also, veteran right-handed reliever Heath Bell, who was signed to a minor league deal last month and was pitching at Triple-A Norfolk, exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and became a free agent.

Baltimore Sun

Heath Bell Will Opt Out With Orioles If Not Called Up

David Hall Twitter

Orioles Sign Heath Bell To Minors Deal

Ken Rosenthal Twitter

Heath Bell Drawing Interest, Likely To Sign Soon

The Orioles and Mariners are among four teams in the running for the three-time All-Star.

MLB Daily Dish

Rays Release Heath Bell

MLB News Twitter

Rays Designate Heath Bell For An Assignment

Marc Topkin Twitter