Free Agent Wes Helms Agrees to Phillies’ 2 Year Deal to Play 3B…
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The Phillies and Free Agent Wes Helms, a former Florida Marlin, have come to an agreement on a 2 year deal bringing Helms to Philly to place 3rd base.
Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer Jim Salisbury reports on the deal;
Wes Helms is the newest Phillie. The 30-year-old infielder has reached agreement on a two-year contract worth about $6 million, sources said last night. Earlier in the day, general manager Pat Gillick said the Phillies were “absolutely” the front-runner to sign Helms.
With Helms on board, defensive stalwart Abraham Nunez could be used in a utility role. Helms also will serve as insurance behind Ryan Howard at first base.
“How he’s used is Charlie’s call,” Gillick said, referring to manager Charlie Manuel.
Helms, a righthanded hitter, batted .329 and drove in 47 runs in just 240 at-bats with Florida in 2006.
The Phils had their eye on Helms last year, but he signed with Florida, where he played in 88 games at first base and 24 at third in 2006. He played with Milwaukee from 2003 to 2005, primarily as a third baseman.
Gillick said Phillies scouts liked the progress that Helms has made as a hitter. It showed in the second half of 2006, when he hit .385 in 130 at-bats after the all-star break.
The big question to be asked on this deal is whether Helms will make an impact as the Phillies drive for post-season play next year, or whether he will simply be David Bell reincarnate or a Pat Burrell clone at the plate and in the field. In fact, Rob Cowie of PhilliesNation asks about the possible similarities between Helms, Burrell and David Bell in this post;
You’ve only played 267 innings of third base over the last two years and only 88 1/3 in 2006. If someone asked me which third baseman in 2006 had a .938 fielding percentage and 3.06 range factor, I would immediately say David Bell. Of course I would quickly be corrected because it is you who has such David Bell-like fielding numbers. Don’t be discouraged Wes. I’d imagine that with a Phillies lead heading into the later innings you’re going to hit the showers early. You’ll get the Burrell treatment and get replaced by Abe Nunez who is always eager to perform the mop up duty for the defensively inclined position players he spells late in the game.
However, unquestionably Helms is a vast offensive improvement over weak-hitting Abraham Nunez.
Remaining to be solved in the Phillies fold; protection for Ryan Howard in the 5th spot in the Phils batting order.
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