Yankees and Padres Discuss Heath Bell

This is not really anything that seems close, but if they Yankees do not acquire a starter, they could acquire a reliever and move Alfredo Aceves or Phil Hughes back into the rotation. From Rosenthal/Morosi:

Bell would be good fit for Yanks — 12:08 p.m.

If you're thinking that Padres closer Heath Bell would be a perfect addition for the Yankees, you're thinking right.

The Yankees indeed have expressed interest in Bell, but the teams are not engaged in serious discussions, according to a major-league source.

Bell would be an ideal setup man for closer Mariano Rivera, and give the Yankees the option of returning right-hander Phil Hughes to their starting rotation.

Between 10 and 15 teams are pursuing Bell, sources say. The Marlins are among those showing the strongest interest, and the Rangers are on the periphery.

The Padres, however, are asking a high price — "as much as the Blue Jays are for Halladay," one source says — and might simply choose to trade Bell in the offseason instead.

At that price, I may pass. The Yankees can use this guy but I'm not sure that much. One big positive for Bell is that while most pitchers in San Diego have stats that skew towards home in their splits, Bell is actually a pretty great pitcher on the road this season with a 2.40 ERA, 0.867 WHIP and 17 Ks to only 2 BBs. I wouldn't give up a ton to get him (meaning not Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero, Hughes or Joba), but I would gladly have him at the back end of the Yankees bullpen if the price is right.