Rays pick up RHP Bell, C Hanigan in 3-team deal
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired reliever Heath Bell and catcher Ryan Hanigan on Tuesday as part of a three-team trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds.
Bell moved from Arizona, which also sent $500,000 to Tampa Bay to offset part of his salary. Hanigan joined the Rays from Cincinnati.
Arizona got minor league right-hander Justin Choate from the Tampa Bay organization, plus a player to be named or cash. Cincinnati received left-hander David Holmberg from Arizona.
Bell, 36, is headed for his fourth team in four seasons. The right-hander went 5-2 with 15 saves and a 4.11 ERA in 69 appearances during his lone year with Arizona. Bell will receive $9 million next season, and his $9 million option for 2015 would become guaranteed if he finishes 55 games in 2014.
Hanigan, 33, will compete for playing time in Tampa Bay with two other catchers, Jose Molina and Jose Lobaton. Hanigan batted a career-low .198 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 77 games for Cincinnati this year.
Holmberg, 22, made his major league debut as a spot starter for Arizona on Aug. 27, allowing three runs in 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the San Diego Padres. It was his lone big-league outing. He went 5-8 with a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts for Double-A Mobile.
Choate, who turns 23 this month, finished 1-3 with six saves and a 2.88 ERA in 16 relief appearances for short-season Class A Hudson Valley this year.
