David Bell has signed a four year, $17 million dollar deal with the Phillies. Bell's a decent player. He put up 19 win shares last year for the Giants, the third best among position players on the Giants. He's no Rolen (28 win shares between the Phillies and Cardinals in 2002), but the Phillies are getting four years for the price of one. However, it should be noted that 19 is Bell's career high in win shares, and he is 30. Still, the Phillies have filled an important hole for them without breaking the bank.

Still no SF angle on this deal yet. If they lose Kent also, Alou will be taking over a team that has lost 2 of it's 3 best position players. This may turn out to be a tougher job than Felipe thought it was going to be.