With Cleveland's Kerry Wood now sidelined for the next 6-8 weeks with a strained shoulder, that puts seven teams' closer situations in flux with a little over two weeks until Opening Day. Chris Perez's value just jumped considerably since he'll take over the Indians' closing duties for now -- and perhaps permanently.  Obviously, the Twins have the biggest problem with Joe Nathan out for the season, but USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale says they have been "extensively scouting" San Diego's Heath Bell for a potential trade.  Nightengale tweets that the Padres would want three top prospects in return for Bell, who racked up 42 saves with a 2.71 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings.  MLB Trade Rumors points out that Bell compares favorably to the four relievers who signed the biggest free agent contracts this offseason -- Jose Valverde, Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano and Fernando Rodney -- so he would be worth a considerable amount on the trade market. He made the All-Star team last season, which none of those other pitchers did. Bell is also signed through 2011, which presumably would give the Twins insurance if Nathan isn't completely recovered in time for next season.  If you've already held your draft, especially in AL-only leagues, a deal for Bell could turn the first free agent bidding period into a real donnybrook.  The seven closer situations in limbo -- whether due to injury or there being no clear front-runner for the job:  Of course, if Bell is traded to Minnesota, the Padres would be another team with questions about its closer situation. In that case, Luke Gregerson or Mike Adams would be the likely candidates to close.  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
Closer rumblings: Wood ailing, Twins scouting Padres' Bell - Fantasy Windup: A community for fantasy baseball news and strategy - USATODAY.com