The days of watching Heath Bell close games for the Padres is over as he signed with the Marlins over the winter. But, the Padres made a shrewd move in dealing with the division rival Rockies for Huston Street. He will take over as the Padres’ closer in 2012. The bullpen might also include Anthony Bass if he loses out on a rotation spot this spring. Here is a look at the Padres’ bullpen for 2012 as it stands right now:

Closer: Huston Street: 28-year old righty Huston Street will be the Padres’ new closer in 2012. He pitched in 62 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 1-4 with 29 saves, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Street has now pitched in 417 games (0 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 30-21 with 178 saves, a 3.11 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Look for Street to have a really good season in 2012 for the Rockies.

Set-Up Man: Andrew Cashner: 25-year old righty Andrew Cashner came to the Padres in a deal with the Cubs over the winter. He pitched in 7 games (1 start) for the Cubs last year and he was 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. Cashner has now pitched in 60 games (1 start) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-6 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Padres plan on using Cashner as the set-up man in 2012 as he has outstanding stuff.

Righties: Luke Gregerson: 27-year old Luke Gregerson continued to pitch well for the Padres in 2011. He pitched in 61 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Gregerson has now pitched in 213 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Padres and he is 9-14 with 3 saves, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. The Padres expect Gregerson to have another good year in 2012.

Ernesto Frieri: 26-year old Ernesto Frieri turned in a solid year for the Padres in 2011. Frieri pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 1-2 with a 2.71 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He has now pitched in 94 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Padres and he is 2-3 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Look for Frieri to have another solid year for the Padres in 2012.

Micah Owings: 29-year old Micah Owings is going to be an asset in the bullpen for the Padres as he will be able to work more than an inning when needed. Owings pitched in 33 games (4 starts) for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 8-0 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has now pitched in 132 games (68 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 32-31 with 1 save, a 4.91 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Look for Owings to really benefit from pitching half of his games at Petco Park in 2012.

Dale Thayer: 31-year old Dale Thayer pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 0-3 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has now pitched in 23 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 0-3 with 1 save, a 5.88 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Thayer could be a late bloomer for the Padres.

Brad Boxberger: 23-year old Brad Boxberger was part of the return the Padres got in the Mat Latos deal over the winter. Boxberger pitched in 55 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 2-4 with 11 saves, a 2.03 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He has now pitched in 91 games (13 starts) in his first two years in the minors and he is 7-14 with 11 saves, a 3.75 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

Lefties: Josh Spence: 24-year old Josh Spence really pitched well last year both with the Padres and in the minors. He pitched in 40 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-2 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Spence also pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. The Padres are expecting Spence to pitch really well for them once again in 2012.

Joe Thatcher: 30-year old Joe Thatcher pitched in 18 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Thatcher has now pitched in 182 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 4-6 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Thatcher will make the Padres’ opening day pen if he can prove he’s healthy this spring.

Alex Hinshaw: 29-year old Alex Hinshaw pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 2-0 with 1 save, a 4.80 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Giants. Hinshaw has now pitched in 57 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-1 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Hinshaw will be a longshot to make the Padres’ pen this spring.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: B