"Heath Bell figures he is headed to the Texas Rangers by Friday.

The closer reached this conclusion Wednesday afternoon by using simple logic.

"My parents are flying in from Texas tomorrow to spend 10 days with us," said Bell. "It just figures. I'm going to be in Texas."

Actually, the most solid trade rumors regarding the Padres surfaced Wednesday with the most specific linking Bell to the Rangers for a package that would include 20-year-old left-handed pitching prospect Robbie Erlin.

The Rangers have also apparently talked to the Padres regarding Mike Adams, according to ESPN.com.

Left fielder Ryan Ludwick, meanwhile, has apparently drawn most interest from Atlanta, Cleveland and Cincinnati — those rumors growing after Carlos Beltran's trade to San Francisco neared completion.

And Boston has apparently joined Detroit in discussions with the Padres regarding right-handed starter Aaron Harang."