Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Cardinals are still in on Heath Bell.

He might not be as much of a priority though, as the Cardinals added Kyle McClellan, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski to their bullpen this week as a result of the Colby Rasmus trade. CBSSports.com's Scott Miller hears that the Cardinals are only on the "fringe" of talks with the Padres and that the Rangers are still considered the favorites to land Bell.

ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that the Padres and Rangers "are not making progress" in the negotiations involving Heath Bell.

Bowden refers to the situation as "a stand-off headed for the deadline." Perhaps the two sides will eventually meet in the middle or perhaps this opens the way for the Cardinals, who are still in the mix and reportedly are Bell's preferred destination. Despite the lag in negotiations, it's still a very safe bet that Bell gets traded this weekend.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cardinals are still in the mix for Heath Bell, but the Rangers remain the favorites to land the Padres' closer.

It's looking almost certain to come down to those two teams at this point. Rosenthal previously reported that Texas was in "substantive" talks for the reliever. Bell, who notched his 30th save Thursday, is a near-certainty to be dealt before the deadline.

Heath Bell notched his 30th save Thursday in a 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

It may well have been his final save for the Padres. No Bell deal is expected today, but it is sounding more and more likely that he'll go prior to Sunday's deadline. The Rangers and Cardinals look like the favorites here.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Rangers are engaged in "substantive" talks for Padres' closer Heath Bell.

The Rangers were briefly involved in trade talks for Carlos Beltran, but they now appear to be focused primarily on upgrading their bullpen. Rangers president Nolan Ryan and manager Ron Washington both questioned the drive of closer Neftali Feliz on Wednesday, which is an indication that they could be on the lookout for an upgrade.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Heath Bell would "prefer" to wind up with the Cardinals.

The Cards are known to have a good amount of interest, but the Rangers are also in the running and Bell does not have total veto power. The 33-year-old is highly likely to be dealt somewhere before Sunday's deadline.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Phillies have been "aggressive" in their pursuit of Padres' relievers Heath Bell and Mike Adams.

Meanwhile, Sherman notes that the Padres are "surprised" there hasn't been more interest from other contending ballclubs like the Yankees, Cardinals and Reds. Bell, 33, will be a free agent following the season while the 32-year-old Adams remains under team control through 2012. For what it's worth, Bell predicted Sunday on ESPN Radio that he will be traded to the Phillies, Cardinals or Rangers.

According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Rangers have made Heath Bell their #1 trade target.

This goes along with Adam Rubin's Saturday report that the Rangers have zeroed in on Bell and Carlos Beltran. In all likelihood Bell would be used as a setup man to Neftali Feliz in Texas, so fantasy owners have to be hoping he doesn't get dealt, especially to the Rangers.

ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports that the Rangers have "zeroed in on" Heath Bell and Carlos Beltran as their primary targets at the trade deadline.

The Rangers and Phillies appear to be at the top of the list of Bell's pursuers, as the Cardinals look like a less and less likely destination as the closer's price rises. Bell would be used as a setup man to Neftali Feliz in Texas, so it wouldn't be in his best interest for fantasy purposes to go to the Rangers.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays have inquired about members of the Padres' bullpen, including closer Heath Bell.

It's an odd fit on the surface, since the Blue Jays are hardly contenders, but Rosenthal speculates that they could stand a better chance of keeping Bell as a free agent if they acquired him now and began the recruiting process immediately. Of course, they could also offer him arbitration following the season and potentially net two high draft picks. Mike Adams could be another possibility, though Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that Padres owner Jeff Moorad told the 32-year-old right-hander that he was staying put.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers are targeting several top relievers via trade, including Padres closer Heath Bell and setup man Mike Adams, Nationals setup man Tyler Clippard and Athletics closer Andrew Bailey.

The asking price for each will be high, but Texas has the prospects and the cash to get a deal done. The A's, according to Rosenthal, won't trade Bailey unless they receive an "overwhelming" offer. Triple-A first baseman/third baseman Chris Davis figures to be one piece Texas dangles in trade talks for any elite reliever.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that some teams are concerned about Heath Bell's declining strikeout rate.

Bell has seen his K/9 rate go from 10.6 the last two years to 6.6 this season, and although it hasn't hurt his effectiveness, it is a pretty alarming drop. His velocity isn't down at all, though, so we're not especially concerned. The Phillies and Rangers appear to be the front-runners for his services at this point.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Rangers are "all over the bullpen market" and are "considered by rival executives as a favorite to land either Heath Bell or Mike Adams."

Just Friday, Olney reported that the Phillies were the favorites to land Bell, but it appears the Rangers will represent their stiffest competition. If Bell lands in Texas, he would almost surely be used in a setup role to Neftali Feliz, so his fantasy owners are hoping Philly is his destination.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Phillies are considered the front-runners to land Heath Bell.

Olney also adds that the Phils have interest in the Padres' Mike Adams and Chad Qualls, as well. They would probably prefer to have Bell and move Ryan Madson back to a setup role, but if the price for Bell is too steep, they'll keep Madson in the ninth inning and target Adams or Qualls for setup work. Bell is almost certain to be dealt somewhere, with the Cardinals, Angels, Yankees and Rangers also in the mix.

Heath Bell's yielded a game-tying homer in the ninth inning on Thursday, blowing his second save chance of the season.

So much for leading the league in consecutive homerless innings. Bell's stock remains high, though he has not been so dominant in his past three innings, during which he's given up five hits and two earned runs.

The last home run ball thrown by Heath Bell was against the Giants on April 19, 2010.

His incredible streak -- the longest among all major league pitchers -- now stands at 102 2/3 innings. He owns a 2.43 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

Heath Bell acknowledged the trade rumors surrounding him on Monday, saying he would definitely move to a setup role if traded to winning team.

Such a trade would kill his fantasy value. The Cardinals could certainly use him, and would likely employ him as closer, but they are unlikely to acquire Bell, because doing so would likely require parting with one of Shelby Miller or Carlos Martinez, a non-starter for a 33-year-old stopper heading for free agency. The Phillies make a lot of sense and appear motivated to make a move. Bell finished the first half with a 2.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 26 saves in 27 chances. Mike Adams would take over the closer's role in San Diego if Bell were shipped out of town and deserves to be stashed in most formats.

Heath Bell converted his 15th straight save opportunity Tuesday in the Padres' win over the Royals.

Bell has now converted 56 of his last 57 save chances. The 33-year-old righty has posted a sterling 2.45 ERA this year with a 1.12 WHIP. You'll continue his name in trade rumors over the next month.

Heath Bell converted his 14th straight save opportunity Monday in the Padres' defeat of the Royals.

Bell has now converted 55 of his last 56 save chances with a 1.69 ERA over that span. The 33-year-old righty is going to draw heavy trade interest next month.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Phillies could be in the mix for Heath Bell if he's made available by the Padres.

Ryan Madson has been excellent as the Phillies closer this season, but with Jose Contreras set to miss at least a month with a forearm issue and Brad Lidge still battling his way back from an elbow injury, the Phillies bullpen could certainly use some shoring up. Philadelphia will likely go extra hard after relief help if Roy Oswalt's back injury ends up sidelining him for a lengthy period, placing an increased burden on the bullpen.