Heath Bell released by the New York Yankees
By Hayden Kane
This might be the end of the line for former closer Heath Bell.
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Having now given it a try with three teams in the American League East in 2014, Bell once again finds himself without a team and likely assessing the current state of his career. On Tuesday the New York Yankees announced that they had released Bell, who had only been working in their minor league system.
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:
The Yankees took a look at RHP Heath Bell at AAA, where he had a 7.50 ERA in 5 appearances. He was released today.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 24, 2014
Bell, who is now at least three years removed from his last good season at the big league level, has been nothing short of disastrous in his 2014 efforts. Through 13 appearances with the Rays he had a 7.27 ERA. Once they parted ways with him, Bell caught on with the Baltimore Orioles and then the Yankees, though he never reached the big leagues with either organization.
Even with big league teams absolutely desperate for help in the bullpen, it is hard to imagine where Bell might be able to land next. Unfortunately 2014 is no aberration, but rather the continuation of a steady decline for Bell that started in 2012.
Bell recorded 132 saves from 2009-2011 for the San Diego Padres. That off-season he skipped town for the Miami Marlins as a free agent, and he has just never been the same. Unless some team gives him a fourth chance this season, we probably won’t hear anything from him anytime soon.