Marlins Re-sign Wes Helms to 2-Year Deal

Ramp · October 3rd, 2008, 05:33 PM

Helms had a .645 OPS in 251 at bats in 2008

When Wes Helms rejoined the Marlins in early April, the veteran infielder made it clear he had a comfort level in Florida.

Helms reaffirmed his desire to stay with the team on Friday when he agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.9 million contract. The 32-year-old, who batted .243 with five home runs and 31 RBIs in 132 games this past year, will make $950,000 in both 2009 and '10.

The Marlins acquired Helms from the Phillies on April 5, and he had a club option of $3.75 million for 2009, plus a $750,000 buyout.

Rather than test the free agent market, Helms opted to remain with the Marlins, where he projects to provide veteran leadership while being a spot player at either third base or first base.

In the final game of the season, Helms belted a solo home run in the eighth inning that snapped a game that was tied at two. The Marlins ended up beating the Mets, 4-2, in the final game at Shea Stadium.

In '08, Helms was in his second stint with the Marlins. In '06, he played in 140 games for Florida. The next year, he signed with the Phillies, with whom he gained playoff experience after Philadelphia won the National League East. Helms is one of two Marlins under multi-year contracts. He joins All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is signed for six years at $70 million.

Helms re-signs with Marlins | floridamarlins.com: News

Nny · October 3rd, 2008, 05:41 PM

lol?

Could that signal the end for Cantu?

Or maybe Gaby?

I mean, both of those guys have more trade value than Dallas so I'd assume they would be the ones moves (And Gaby was on the list that we gave Pitt of available guys during the Manny trade).

At that point then you have Dallas/Helms platoon at third and then Cantu or Gaby at first, depending on which stays.

wanks1212 · October 3rd, 2008, 05:41 PM

sooo now we have Helms, Jake, Gaby, Cantu, and McDallas at the corner IF spots, plus Logan in AA.

why is a great question

lou · October 3rd, 2008, 05:43 PM

Really? This splits to a .600 OPS vs RHP, .775 OPS vs LHP the last 2 years. So he can start at 3B vs LHP with McPherson vs RHP. But like, what do they do with G. Sanchez now? AAA? Does he come up and start, or does Cantu become the predominant 1B.

I want to know if they are paying the buyout or not. Is this deal really $1.9, or is it $1.15.

I will sleep better at night with $1.15

markotsay7 · October 3rd, 2008, 06:53 PM

what malarchy

!NICK! · October 3rd, 2008, 07:05 PM

I don't mind this. Helms is a great guy to bring in for defense late in the game. I'm not sold on McPherson, and I hope the organization isn't either. I think his numbers in AAA can be greatly attributed to the park he played in, and has anyone else noticed the # of K's? That's way too much even for us. If it were up to me, Gaby would be given the every day job at 1st Base, and try to deal McPherson for something while his values about as high as it's going to be.

Hugg · October 3rd, 2008, 07:24 PM

I'm stunned by this.

Not upset, just stunned.

Juanky · October 3rd, 2008, 07:34 PM

I don't mind this at all. I share everyone's surprise, but I think Helms is a nice fit with our organization and he was used well this year (I think).

I'm sure we'll know what it means in the next week.

FishFanInPA · October 3rd, 2008, 07:37 PM

I like the signing....he was a quality infielder and will fit into our future plans nicely.

Matt Wilson · October 3rd, 2008, 11:46 PM

This might mean that we're committed to actually spending some duckets and not going with a $5 payroll. I want them to re-sign Gonzo as well.

Swift · October 4th, 2008, 03:40 PM

If we're spending money next year, this is fine, but I just don't see the need for Helms in any scenario.

EDIT: nevermind, it's a 2 year deal. I fucking hate it. Why why why why why give Helms the only other multi year deal on the team? Why not buy out Volstad or Nolasco or something. Poorly spent money.

Hugg · October 4th, 2008, 05:09 PM

We gave him 950 grand a year. We weren't buying anyone out for 950 grand a year.

Matt Wilson · October 4th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Hugg

We gave him 950 grand a year. We weren't buying anyone out for 950 grand a year.

Agreed. IMO $1m a year is more than worth it for what Wes brings to the table.

EDIT: While his overall numbers aren't that impressive, I like his line as a pinch hitter: .317/.378/.537. That's a .914 OPS in 45 PH appearances. Since that's his predominant role, I like it.

JJ · October 4th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Rotoworld's .02:

A two-year deal? Because dozens of teams were going to pursue a bad defensive third baseman who hit .246/.297/.368 and .243/.299/.347 the last two years? The Marlins can and will talk up Helms' leadership, but he's a very borderline major leaguer at this point. It's absurd that teams are still giving players like this multiyear deals.

Helms gets another multiyear deal despite hitting .243/.299/.347 this season. Formerly a power hitter, he's contributed just 10 home runs to go along with his 127/36 K/BB ratio in 531 at-bats over the last two years. He's also a weak defensive infielder and a liability on the basepaths. He was a very effective pinch-hitter this season (13-for-41, two homers), but he went 4-for-32 in the same role in 2007. There just wasn't any good reason to give him a two-year deal. It's a foolish first move of the offseason for a team that keeps talking about improving defensively.

!NICK! · October 4th, 2008, 06:22 PM

Since when is Helms bad defensively?

Swift · October 4th, 2008, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hugg

We gave him 950 grand a year. We weren't buying anyone out for 950 grand a year.

When we're expecting to spend $30 million, spending 1/30th of that on a guy who could easily be replaced by players making half of his salary makes no sense. To go even further, it makes no sense to guarantee him 2010 money when he was regarded as "done" in 2008.

October 3rd, 2008, 05:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ramp whysoserious? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 8,033 T&B $: 1,108,905 Reputation: 4322866 My Teams:	Marlins Re-sign Wes Helms to 2-Year Deal Helms had a .645 OPS in 251 at bats in 2008 When Wes Helms rejoined the Marlins in early April, the veteran infielder made it clear he had a comfort level in Florida. Helms reaffirmed his desire to stay with the team on Friday when he agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.9 million contract. The 32-year-old, who batted .243 with five home runs and 31 RBIs in 132 games this past year, will make $950,000 in both 2009 and '10. The Marlins acquired Helms from the Phillies on April 5, and he had a club option of $3.75 million for 2009, plus a $750,000 buyout. Rather than test the free agent market, Helms opted to remain with the Marlins, where he projects to provide veteran leadership while being a spot player at either third base or first base. In the final game of the season, Helms belted a solo home run in the eighth inning that snapped a game that was tied at two. The Marlins ended up beating the Mets, 4-2, in the final game at Shea Stadium. In '08, Helms was in his second stint with the Marlins. In '06, he played in 140 games for Florida. The next year, he signed with the Phillies, with whom he gained playoff experience after Philadelphia won the National League East. Helms is one of two Marlins under multi-year contracts. He joins All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is signed for six years at $70 million. Helms re-signs with Marlins \| floridamarlins.com: News __________________ You and your kind, all you care about is money. This city deserves a better class of criminal. And I'm gonna give it to them! Last edited by JJ; October 3rd, 2008 at 07:18 PM..

October 3rd, 2008, 05:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nny Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,838 T&B $: 1,477 Reputation: 1312156	lol? Could that signal the end for Cantu? Or maybe Gaby? I mean, both of those guys have more trade value than Dallas so I'd assume they would be the ones moves (And Gaby was on the list that we gave Pitt of available guys during the Manny trade). At that point then you have Dallas/Helms platoon at third and then Cantu or Gaby at first, depending on which stays. __________________ [img][/img] dear tao today i played violin in my bathtub for 4 hours. then i layed in my bed and pet my stomach. i pretended that there was a baby growing in it. i cried with my baby and then fell asleep. i dreamt that my best friend was a piece of asparagus. ellen

October 3rd, 2008, 05:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
wanks1212 Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 271 T&B $: 372 Reputation: 147221 My Teams:	sooo now we have Helms, Jake, Gaby, Cantu, and McDallas at the corner IF spots, plus Logan in AA. why is a great question __________________ I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid

October 3rd, 2008, 05:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
lou Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 353 T&B $: 422 Reputation: 455874	Really? This splits to a .600 OPS vs RHP, .775 OPS vs LHP the last 2 years. So he can start at 3B vs LHP with McPherson vs RHP. But like, what do they do with G. Sanchez now? AAA? Does he come up and start, or does Cantu become the predominant 1B. I want to know if they are paying the buyout or not. Is this deal really $1.9, or is it $1.15. I will sleep better at night with $1.15 __________________ Words that correlate with winning baseball games - BATTING AVERAGE, CATALYST, COLETTI, CLUTCH, DAVID, ECKSTEIN, HUSTLE, INTANGIBLES, JOE MORGAN, LEADERSHIP, MANUFACTURING RUNS, MIKE JACOBS 2008 OBP, NEBRASKA PUNTERS FROM THE MID 1990S, PODSEDNIK, PRODUCTIVE OUTS, RBI, "STEALS AND SMILES," STOLEN BASES, VERSATILITY

October 3rd, 2008, 06:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
markotsay7 Anywhere, anytime, but you'll never know Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 2,186 T&B $: 75,483 Reputation: 1982216 My Teams:	what malarchy __________________ Questions? Comments? Concerns? Free baked goods? Up for a chat? PM me.

October 3rd, 2008, 07:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
!NICK! Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,196 T&B $: 23,103 Reputation: 1271349 My Teams:	I don't mind this. Helms is a great guy to bring in for defense late in the game. I'm not sold on McPherson, and I hope the organization isn't either. I think his numbers in AAA can be greatly attributed to the park he played in, and has anyone else noticed the # of K's? That's way too much even for us. If it were up to me, Gaby would be given the every day job at 1st Base, and try to deal McPherson for something while his values about as high as it's going to be.

October 3rd, 2008, 07:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
Juanky I'm cool Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 2,530 T&B $: 14,995 Reputation: 913120 My Teams:	I don't mind this at all. I share everyone's surprise, but I think Helms is a nice fit with our organization and he was used well this year (I think). I'm sure we'll know what it means in the next week. __________________ Have a dispute with an Administrator, Mod, or User on the site? Question/Issue with something on the site? Need conversation on a lonely night? PM Me

October 3rd, 2008, 07:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
FishFanInPA All-Star Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7,136 T&B $: 1,019,824 Reputation: 2207540 My Teams:	I like the signing....he was a quality infielder and will fit into our future plans nicely. __________________ "Philly has passionate fans. Someone told me you know they booed Santa, right? I said there were 30,000 people there and he brought no gifts, what were they supposed to do" -- Elton Brand. "It speaks to everything we are trying to do here," he said. "What I mean by that is, it's easy to punt the ball. Anybody can punt the ball. It's conventional wisdom. But you know what? We are trying to change 30 years of this crap, and I want to show them that we are going to go for it and make it right here. There is going to be a day, I pray it's sooner rather than later, that we are going to make that yard." -- Al Golden on why he went for it on 4th and 1.

October 3rd, 2008, 11:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
Matt Wilson Pret-tay, Pret-tay Good Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 3,398 T&B $: 32,102 Reputation: 4801123 My Teams:	This might mean that we're committed to actually spending some duckets and not going with a $5 payroll. I want them to re-sign Gonzo as well.

October 4th, 2008, 03:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Swift Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,310 T&B $: 2,273 Reputation: 1040219 My Teams:	If we're spending money next year, this is fine, but I just don't see the need for Helms in any scenario. EDIT: nevermind, it's a 2 year deal. I fucking hate it. Why why why why why give Helms the only other multi year deal on the team? Why not buy out Volstad or Nolasco or something. Poorly spent money. Last edited by Swift; October 4th, 2008 at 03:44 PM..

October 4th, 2008, 05:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Hugg Trillion Man March Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 6,491 T&B $: 262,927 Reputation: 5614160 My Teams:	We gave him 950 grand a year. We weren't buying anyone out for 950 grand a year.

October 4th, 2008, 06:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
!NICK! Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,196 T&B $: 23,103 Reputation: 1271349 My Teams:	Since when is Helms bad defensively?