The person spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced. The agreement, which is subject to a physical, is the first free agent deal for Miami since it began courtships last month with several top players. The deal was first reported by ESPN.

Bell had more than 40 saves each of the past three seasons for the Padres. In 2011, he had 43 in 48 chances with a 2.44 ERA.

The Marlins’ move into a new ballpark next year has improved their financial outlook, allowing them to become more active in free agency. They’ve courted slugger Albert Pujols, shortstop Jose Reyes, and lefthanders Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson.

Mauer healthy, happy

Twins star Joe Mauer met with reporters in hopes of alleviating some worries about his health, dismissing some rumors, and ensuring fans that he will be ready to go next season.

“I’m healthy, I’m happy,’’ Mauer said. “I can rule out crazy things I’ve heard like Lyme disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus. I think we’ve heard it all. I don’t have any of those things.’’

Mauer played in only 82 games in 2011, missing most of the first two months of the season with a condition the team initially called “bilateral leg weakness.’’ He also missed time because of a viral infection and an upper respiratory infection that turned into pneumonia and ended his season in mid-September.

Mauer said he is fully recovered from the pneumonia and plans on being ready for spring training in February.

Bosio joining Cubs

Though the Cubs made no official announcement, Chris Bosio said he is leaving the Brewers’ organization to become Chicago’s pitching coach.

Bosio told the Appleton (Wis.) Post-Crescent he is going to work for longtime friend and new Cubs manager Dale Sveum. Bosio said his pitchers are “going to be prepared, are going to have intensity and a lot of enthusiasm.’’

Bosio was Sveum’s teammate with the Brewers during the 1980s and early ’90s, and they both worked for Milwaukee the past few years. Bosio served as interim pitching coach late in 2009 and worked as a scout before becoming the Brewers’ Triple A pitching coach last season. In Chicago, he replaces Mark Riggins.

Magic getting involved

Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson joined a group bidding to buy the Dodgers. Johnson said he’s partnering with former Braves executive Stan Kasten and investor Mark Walter to join the auction for the team, which will be sold by Frank McCourt at an undetermined date. Their bidding organization will be called Guggenheim Baseball Management . . . Former Mets and Expos general manager Omar Minaya was hired as senior vice president of baseball operations by the Padres, where he’ll work for new GM Josh Byrnes . . . The Rangers hired former Astros general manager Tim Purpura as senior director of player development. Purpura had been minor league baseball’s executive vice president and chief operating officer since January 2008.

Capuano, Dodgers agree

The Dodgers and lefthander Chris Capuano agreed to a $10 million, two-year contract. The deal includes a $6 million mutual option for 2014 with a $1 million buyout. Capuano, a West Springfield native, went 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA for the Mets in 2011 . . . Former Red Sox outfielder Wily Mo Pena signed a two-year contract with the Japan Series champion Softbank Hawks. Pena played in 39 games this past season with the Diamondbacks and Mariners, hitting .204 with seven home runs.