As expected, the San Diego Padres offered arbitration to closer Heath Bell and starting pitcher Aaron Harang. With Bell, my guess is the closer goes elsewhere and the Padres get a compensation pick. Worst case, he takes arbitration and we have him for another year. The compensation rules have changed though because instead of getting a regular first round pick from the team that signs him, the Padres will get a sandwich pick.
The Padres could have gotten Harang for $5 million but they choose to not pick up his option. Harang is a Type B free agent so if he signs elsewhere, the Padres will get another pick. And like Bell, I like Harang enough to where if he accepts, we just get him for another year. Sounds like a win/win in both cases.
