Wes Helms Rumors
By Tim Dierkes [October 3, 2008 at 3:54pm CST]
5:16pm: Helms will receive $1.9MM over the two years. 3:54pm: According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Marlins signed infielder Wes Helms to a two-year extension. Helms had a $3.75MM option for '09 with a $750K buyout. Terms aren't known yet, but the Fish probably didn't give him that much for '09. Helms, 32, hit .243/.299/.347 in 278 plate appearances while playing the infield corners as needed.
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By Tim Dierkes [October 1, 2008 at 10:07am CST]
I will offer my own opinions on how to improve the Mets in the Offseason Outlook, due within a few weeks. Many journalists have already weighed in - let's take a look. Newly added bullet: John Harper of the New York Daily News. He advises the Mets to decline Delgado's option while signing Orlando Hudson, Raul Ibanez, and Derek Lowe and trading for J.J. Putz. Say goodbye to Castillo, Perez, and Martinez in this plan. Ken Davidoff of Newsday: Sign free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Darren Oliver, Juan Rivera, Fernando Tatis, and Wes Helms. Also sign one of Jon Garland, Derek...
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By Tim Dierkes [September 9, 2008 at 12:54pm CST]
Let's dig into the latest blog post from MLB.com's Jim Molony. Molony believes the Mets, Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, Indians, and Cubs are considering signing Francisco Rodriguez this winter. I think K-Rod's demands could cause a nice ripple effect for Brian Fuentes, the second-best closer on the market. Regarding Molony's six teams, a strong case can be made against several of them signing Rodriguez. The Rays and Indians will probably take a careful approach to free agency, while the Tigers may not have room in the budget. The Cubs seem likely to bring Kerry Wood back. Also on the topic of...
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By Tim Dierkes [April 8, 2008 at 10:17am CST]
TUESDAY: The Fish are only taking on Helms' $750K buyout; the Phillies will cover the other $2.15MM. SATURDAY: According to an FSN broadcast via RotoWorld, the Marlins acquired Wes Helms from the Phils for cash. So I guess that means the Fish were willing to take on the $2.9MM owed to him? If so, quite a commitment for them. Helms, 32 in May, had his best year with the Marlins in '06. He posted a .965 OPS in 240 ABs, facing lefties almost half the time.
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By Joe Pawlikowski [April 5, 2008 at 10:30am CST]
It's no secret that the Phillies are looking to dish Wes Helms. Problem is, there's very little interest in the 32-year-old righty infielder. He was given a two-year, $5.45MM contract after a stellar part-time performance in 2006. After a poor 2007, the Phillies signed Pedro Feliz to play third. And, as we know, he was designated for assignment earlier this week. So where does Helms fit? The immediate suitors aren't working out too well. Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times says that the Dodgers are impressed by the play of Blake DeWitt, and are not interested in Helms. He also...
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By Tim Dierkes [April 3, 2008 at 1:48pm CST]
THURSDAY, 1:45pm: Not so fast. Miller has an update to his initial report below, which came from Marcus' brother Brian. Marcus' agent is now saying that Brian was misinformed - they never finalized anything with the Dodgers and he's not playing for them, after all. THURSDAY, 8:14am: Scott Miller says Giles will report to Triple A for the Dodgers, after all. The Dodgers still seem to have some interest in Wes Helms though. TUESDAY: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News chronicles the odd tale of the Dodgers' near-signing of infielder Marcus Giles. Apparently an agreement was reached but Giles...
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By Tim Dierkes [April 2, 2008 at 3:09pm CST]
3:07pm: According to David Murphy, Helms has been DFA'd. Any suitors will probably try to wait it out so as not to pay his salary. 8:53am: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News says it's likely that Wes Helms will be moved by Saturday, when closer Brad Lidge is set to come off the DL. Hagen suggests the Dodgers as a good fit. Ned Colletti could offer up a player to be named later, or just wait and see if the Phils release Helms. He has $2.9MM left on his contract. The Dodgers had been eyeing Alex Cintron and almost...
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By Tim Dierkes [April 1, 2008 at 12:22pm CST]
12:20pm: Scott Lauber quotes Phils GM Pat Gillick as having no interest in southpaw relievers Mike Stanton and Steve Kline. Also, it's likely Wes Helms or Tim Lahey will be let go to make room when Brad Lidge comes off the DL this weekend. 8:55am: According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Phillies have signed reliever Rudy Seanez. The 39 year-old had been released by the Dodgers last week. The Phils mark Seanez's 12th organization. He can be homer-prone, but he wasn't terrible last year in posting a 3.79 ERA and 8.64 K/9 with the Dodgers in 76...
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By Tim Dierkes [March 27, 2008 at 8:17am CST]
THURSDAY: Jim Salisbury says the Helms for Kline idea has fallen through, and Hal McCoy nixes the Helms for Stanton possibility. WEDNESDAY: The Phillies would like to conclude their offseason by swapping third baseman Wes Helms and the $2.9MM owed to him for a lefty reliever. According to Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phils are talking to the Giants and Reds about Helms. Steve Kline ($1.75MM) or Mike Stanton ($3.5MM) are the targets. The Reds may deem Stanton too pricey to cut. The Giants recently picked up Jose Castillo, but they also lost Kevin Frandsen. Moving Kline...
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By Tim Dierkes [March 24, 2008 at 2:35pm CST]
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien talked to Braves GM Frank Wren, and he learned that Wren expects to "make a deal or two." DOB says the Braves are looking to add a proven bench bat. They can spare an out of options reliever from the group of Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Tyler Yates, and Royce Ring. O'Brien sees Yates as the one to go. Catcher Brayan Pena and first baseman Scott Thorman are other possible trade chips. As for who's coming to Atlanta, O'Brien pretty much ruled out Reed Johnson and Robert Fick. He considers Wes Helms a possibility. The...
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