The Rangers have been connected to Ty Wigginton, Mike Lowell and Jorge Cantu and we can now add a new name to the list of corner infielders they have had interest in: Wes Helms. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reports that the Rangers have had interest in Helms, though no deal for him or any other player is imminent. Assistant GM Thad Levine confirmed to Sullivan that the Rangers are looking to add depth around Chris Davis.
"For quite some time, we have been looking for a right-handed complement [at first base]," Levine said. "That hasn't changed as a piece we'd like to add."
The Rangers hope to see Davis translate his minor league success (.958 OPS in Triple A) into major league production. They can’t take on salary, so Levine and others in the Rangers front office are hoping Davis can start hitting.
Helms, 34, has just $390K remaining on his contract before he becomes a free agent. The corner infielder has only played four games at first base since 2008, but he has played 300 games at the position in his career. The Yankees are also interested in Helms, who is hitting .241/.296/.388 this season.
The Rangers do not seem high on Xavier Nady, according to Sullivan. The 31-year-old has many incentives in his contract that could inflate his price, but Nady has not hit well for the Cubs so far in 2010.
I’ve said this elsewhere….but why not inquiring on Shelley Duncan if you’re the Rangers? He’s got an OPS up near .900 in limited play. More of a 1B than Helms. He’s making less than Helms even. Doubt the Tribe would be asking for much, though suppose they may keep him. But with Weglarz heating up in AAA and Brown, Constanza, and Carrera down there, really no need for him as an OFer and LaPorta is entrenched at 1B.
Would be a nice platoon guy with Davis. Yeah, he’s hitting better this year against righties than lefties but still a decent OPS against lefties as well. He’s killing the ball at Progressive Field….just imagine what he could do in Texas.
ha, and as I type that…..2-run double for Duncan…..
woops, single….man he is slow lol
Are they allowed to take on any more $$$?