The Rays have designated Heath Bell for assignment, according to Marc Topkin
of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). It’s a potentially costly decision for
Tampa Bay as they’re on the hook for $5.5MM of Bell’s $9MM salary.
The Rays can theoretically get out from under their financial obligation to
Bell if they find a trade partner in the next ten days, but that won’t be
easy. Bell, 36, is three years removed from his All-Star form and has
struggled mightily thus far in 2014. In 13 outings (17.1 innings), Bell has
a 7.27 ERA with 12 strikeouts and eight walks.