MLB Free Agents 2012: Heath Bell and Relievers Your Team Needs

The free-agency frenzy has kicked off and the plethora of elite relief pitchers has teams lining up to get a shot to offer a bid.

There is a strong need for a stellar backend to the bullpen, and one of the few common traits of all winning teams is the presence of a good closer.

The following players are all worthy of serious consideration this offseason, and expect serious contenders and upstart teams to go all-in on all of these guys.

Heath Bell—The best reliever on the market this offseason is 34-year-old Heath Bell and his pension for being lights out in the ninth inning.

Last season with a terrible San Diego Padres team, Bell was one of the biggest factors for the team’s success (albeit limited) and his 34 saves were some of the toughest in the NL.

Bell is 34 years old and that may be factor in a team offering a long-term contract, but a team will take a flyer on the speed throwing machine.

Jonathan Papelbon—The Boston Red Sox are looking to turn a new leaf after the epic collapse this September, and that means letting go of unrestricted free-agent Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon is one of the most consistent closers in MLB, and his status as one of the best has carried with him his entire career.

With all of his postseason experience, top contenders like the Phillies will be looking to add his services to their already-stacked pitching staff.

Ryan Madson—The Phillies will be considering Jonathan Papelbon because they have chosen to look elsewhere instead of re-signing their closer Ryan Madson.

Madson had been groomed for that spot over the last few seasons and the fall off the map of Brad Lidge allowed the team to see that while Madson was solid, he's not good enough to move forward with.

Madson will most likely end up with a middle of the pack team that will use him as a closer or as a primary set-up man,

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