Marlins' Bell criticizes Guillen in radio interview

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Heath Bell criticized his manager, Ozzie Guillen, during a radio interview on Monday, suggesting Guillen was not truthful with him.

Bell started the season as the Marlins closer but was replaced in that role after struggling early in the season. Bell, 34, is in his first season with the Marlins after signing a three-year, $27 million contract. He has a 5.19 ERA and has converted 19 of 26 save opportunities this season.

"It's hard to respect a guy that doesn't tell you the truth or doesn't tell you face-to-face," Bell said on "The Dan Sileo Show" on WQAM in Miami, according to ESPN.com. "There's probably reasons why."

Bell has a 3.12 ERA since being replaced as the team's closer but says Guillen has not given him a chance to reclaim the closer role.

"I stunk in April, plain and simple," Bell said. "I said I stunk, I worked hard, I busted my butt. I think I've had a tremendous second half. I'm not closing -- I know that. But I just kept my mouth shut because I want to regain what I had, and I feel like I can't do that."

At first, Bell's only reference to Guillen during the radio interview was, "It's been an interesting year with Ozzie."

But he later suggested Guillen was not always up front with players.

"It's just one of those things that -- what you see is what you get," Bell said. "I'm not going to be two-faced. I'm not going to sneak around your back and say this and that.

"We need a guy that leads us that everybody respects and looks up to. That's what we need."

On Sunday, Guillen told Fox Sports Florida why he has stuck with Steve Cishek as his closer, but Guillen also said Bell would be given the opportunity to close in 2013.