When the MLB non-waiver trade deadline passes, virtually every player in the league is put on waivers. Most of them go unnoticed as players get through or teams pull players back into the fold. However, reports that the San Francisco Giants have claimed San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell is making headlines all over the blogosphere. The Giants and Padres now have two days to complete a trade, or else Bell will be forced to play out the rest of the season in a Padres uniform.

The Giants are less than a handful of games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West, while the Padres have fallen way off the pace; otherwise they wouldn’t even consider sending their prized closer to the Bay. The Giants themselves are looking for insurance for their closer, the excessively bearded Brian Wilson, who is currently on the disabled list with a right elbow injury. Having both of those guys ready for a postseason run will make San Francisco tough to beat.

Both closers have racked up 35 saves this season, but so far Bell – who was one of the most sought-after pitchers at this year’s trade deadline – has been a bit more effective overall. Bell has pitched in 53 innings and a 2.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 40 strikeouts and 19 walks. Wilson has accumulated 53.2 innings, a 3.19 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 52 strikeouts and 31 walks. Both pitchers have given up a pair of home runs each.

Normally, you wouldn’t hear about teams willing to trade significant players to division rivals; especially guys projected to be Type A free agents. However, the Padres are out of the playoff hunt and the return they could get should the two clubs actually reach an agreement may mitigate the loss of their closer. However, a deal of this magnitude will be awfully hard to come to in such a short amount of time, so don’t expect to hear about a completed deal.