Jayson Stark of ESPN says that he could see the San Diego Padres trading their closer Heath Bell even if they stay in the race for the NL West.

“Bell is a lot easier to move than [Adrian] Gonzalez,” said one. “I don’t see why [Mike] Adams can’t close, and just move everyone else up one spot. They’ve got plenty of arms out there.”

Gonzalez was a hot trade commodity last winter since he was a slugging first baseman with a very affordable salary that is signed through the 2011 season.  However, those trade talks have subsided since the Padres have unexpectedly been at the top of the NL West.

Bell, 32, is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 14 saves in 2010 with the Padres.