Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune revealed in a recent chat with fans that impending free agent Heath Bell is looking for a three-year deal.

It's a perfectly reasonable demand for a guy that will be the top free agent closer on the market. Jon Heyman of SI.com reported previously that the Padres have extended a two-year, $14 million offer to Bell, and Center says they "would go for two years at $7.5-to-$8 million with an option for 2014" for the closer. Center wonders if Bell might ultimately be willing to take a two-year deal from the Pads that includes a no-trade clause. Bell loves it in San Diego, so we wouldn't rule out that possibility.

Padres GM Jed Hoyer told The Darren Smith Show that the team has made Heath Bell contract offers, but he would not comment on the proposed amounts.

And we wouldn't expect him to. Jon Heyman of SI.com reported previously that the Pads extended a two-year, $14 million offer Bell's way. It's a reasonable amount, but Bell almost surely could get more on the open market. He's said multiple times, though, that he'll take a hometown discount to re-up with the Padres.

Padres GM Jed Hoyer reiterated the team plans to see what transpires regarding closer Heath Bell, who is eligible for free agency.

"I'd love to have him back as our closer; he's great at his job," Hoyer said. "But I'm not going to bring him back if it means hurting the rest of the team. If we can afford him, I look forward to watching him sprint in from center field." Bell will likely require an enormous percentage of the team's payroll, where the Padres are expecting an increase of $53-55 million next year. Other notable free agents include center fielder Cameron Maybin, and starting pitcher Aaron Harang, who went 14-7 with 3.64 ERA this past season.

Heath Bell said following Wednesday's game that he expects to return to the Padres next season.

"My gut feeling is that I will be here," said Bell. "They have my number. They know I want to stay. I think they're going to take advantage of that." Bell qualifies as a Type A free agent, so if the Padres offer arbitration and the veteran closer declines, the team would receive two compensatory draft picks. However, Bell has said that he intends to accept arbitration, which would likely take his salary north of $10 million. Both sides have also discussed the possibility of working out a multi-year contract. Bell, 34, posted a 2.44 ERA, 43 saves and a 51/21 K/BB ratio over 62 2/3 innings this season.

Heath Bell recorded one out Tuesday to protect a one-run lead against the Rockies and earn his 40th save of the season.

Matt Latos allowed a two-out RBI single to Jordan Pacheco in the ninth and gave way to Bell, who made things interesting by surrendering a single to Kevin Kouzmanoff. Bell struck out Wilin Rosario to end the threat. This is Bell's third straight 40-save season for San Diego.

Heath Bell pitched a scoreless ninth for his 38th save as the Padres topped the Diamondbacks 2-0 on Friday.

Bell finished the five-hitter as the third reliever in after Tim Stauffer left with arm stiffness. He's closing in on his third straight 40-save season for San Diego.

Heath Bell snagged his 36th save on Wednesday, yielding one hit in a scoreless four-out performance.

Save chances have been few and far between for the Padres' closer recently. After getting nine chances August 8-23, he's had only two chances since then. Bell is close to wrapping up another fantastic season, now owning a 2.44 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

Updating a previous item, the Giants were unable to reach a deal for Padres closer Heath Bell.

The Giants were awarded a waiver claim of Bell, but all indications are that trade talks never had much momentum. Bell, who will be a Type A free agent this winter, hopes to get a long-term deal with the Padres and might end up accepting arbitration from them if an extension can't be worked out.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the potential trade of Heath Bell to the Giants is "not happening."

The Giants were awarded a waiver claim of Bell, but as Heyman notes, the deal was "a long shot from the start." Bell will finish out the year and San Diego before becoming a Type A free agent this winter. He prefers to stay with the Padres over the long haul.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Giants were awarded the claim on Padres' closer Heath Bell.

The Giants will now have until 1 p.m. ET on Friday to work out a trade. Olney suspects the status of Brian Wilson (elbow) will be a significant factor in whether the Giants actually pull the trigger on a deal. Bell currently projects as a Type A free agent this winter, so the price could be steep. It appears to be an unlikely scenario right now.

The Padres placed Heath Bell on waivers.

It's unlikely that a swap will be agreed to, even if Bell clears waivers. The Padres didn't trade him at this year's non-waiver deadline and seem content with gaining the compensatory draft picks when he signs elsewhere as a free agent this offseason. They might also discuss a multi-year deal with the 33-year-old shutdown closer.

Heath Bell blew a save against the Marlins Sunday, but ended up with a win after the Padres won in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Bell was coasting, inducing two ground balls to start the ninth. Then he served up a jack to Mike Cameron which tied the game. It's Bell's third blown save since the All-Star break, but there's no concern here. He came into today without giving up any earned runs in six straight outings.

Heath Bell was stampeded by the Mets on Monday, surrendering three earned runs on four hits and blowing his third save opportunity of the season.

Bell recorded only one out against a somewhat undermanned Mets lineup. It was his first blemish in eight outings, elevating his ERA 59 points to 2.82.

Heath Bell said Monday that he would accept arbitration if he doesn't get a long-term contract extension from the Padres this winter.

The Padres didn't trade Bell before Sunday's deadline, presumably with the intention of working out an extension or letting him walk and taking two draft picks. However, the Padres' closer made it clear Monday that he has no intention of leaving San Diego. "There is no downside to me accepting arbitration and the family staying in San Diego for at least another year," explained Bell. "My kids love it here. My family is happy here. And I'm in a position where I can make some decisions right now. The ball is in my court. I want to stay in San Diego. And I want to win here." Bell, 33, is making $7.5 million this season, so he could earn upwards of $10 million through the arbitration process. He would prefer a three-year deal from the Padres, but they are only willing to give two years and an option for a third year. It's a tough situation for a team that is not expected to contend in the near future.

Heath Bell said Sunday that he would be willing to give the Padres a discount this offseason but wants a three-year contract.

This after Bell pitched an emotional scoreless ninth (non-save situation), striking out two. The Padres are a longshot to contend in the near future, so it remains to be seen if they're willing to spend a big chunk of money on a reliever when they can get two top draft picks as compensation if they let Bell walk. Should the team choose to let Bell test free agency, look for the star closer to sign with a west coast team.

According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers have not acquired Heath Bell.

Instead, they're sending top pitching prospects Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland to the Padres for setup man Mike Adams, who is actually a bit better than Bell and under contract through the 2012 season. What an odd turn of events. Bell is now likely to stay put in San Diego.

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have found "no traction" in trade negotiations for Padres closer Heath Bell.

The Friars may still be asking for top prospects in return, and they simply aren't going to get them for a two-month reliever rental. Bell has also been linked to the Phillies, Rangers and Yankees, so perhaps there's still a chance he's moved. Otherwise San Diego may be content with landing draft picks when he signs elsewhere as a free agent this winter.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirms that the Yankees have "checked in on" Heath Bell, but they are "not optimistic there is common ground for a trade."

The Rangers are still viewed as the favorites for Bell even after getting Koji Uehara, but the two sides appear to be at a standstill. The Yanks might get more involved if the Padres lower their asking price.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Rangers don't want to give up a package of Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland in order to land Heath Bell.

We don't blame them. Bell is a fine reliever, and while we are concerned about his declining strikeout rate, we're sure he'd help out the Rangers down the stretch. But, we also think giving up less for Koji Uehara, who's arguably a better pitcher, was wise on their part. The Padres might have to lower their demands to get something done before Sunday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal has stated emphatically that Heath Bell "will be traded Sunday."

The Rangers are still considered the favorites for Bell even after their acquisition of Koji Uehara, but the Cardinals are still in the mix and the Phillies and Yankees are "showing late interest." Bell's dropping strikeout rate is a concern, but that hasn't kept him from being effective this season.