Marlins2003 Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Unsure that Rick Helling has his MLB velocity back, he has agreed to one more minor league start to show the Twins he should be their fifth starter. No doubt the Marlins and a dozen other teams will have their radar guns and cellphones working tomorrow night as Helling tries to convince the Twins and ML baseball that he's back from his stay on the DL. Helling took a line drive off his shin sending him to the DL. Helling was scheduled to make between $600k and $1.2 million depending on starts and innings. After watching Bump again tonight (what the h*ll has happened to this guy? Five freakin' runs and don't tell me only two were earned) no one can question the need for more pitching. Obviously with the season partially over Helling will be looking for less but not much less. If he has rebounded from his injury and the Twins really don't have a place for him, the FO should know enough about the guy to pull the trigger. If he does well tomorrow night he's going to be a hot commodity. This is where I really wish we had at least one media outlet that dished the dirt on the Marlins.  Is his arm still fundamentally sound? Was he an asset to the team? Can he last a full season and have anything left for October? How was he in the clubhouse? I can't imagine anyone having a better perspective on what he can contribute than Jack McKeon and Beinfest's crew. Ricky Bottalico (don't bother to comment) was out there and in limited use he's got an ERA of .79, and the Fish ignored him. Cruz, Reitsma to the Braves still makes me sick. If Helling impresses tommorow night let's hope he's in a Marlins uniform Friday morning. If not, I'd like to know why. Good decision or not I'd like to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nielsosky Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 We need Helling desperately to help our bullpen. He always seems to pitch well here. Although we can't expect as much as we got from him last season, he isn't going to be worse than Bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 in the Braves defense, they gave up some nice players for Reitsma and I dont remember what they gave up for Cruz maybe Bump had his baby on his mind tonight? i dont know. but he needs to go to Burque Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 in the Braves defense, they gave up some nice players for Reitsma and I dont remember what they gave up for Cruz maybe Bump had his baby on his mind tonight? i dont know. but he needs to go to Burque For Cruz, the Braves offered pitching prospects, we only offered position players, that's what got the deal done. In our defense though, neither of those moves really saved the braves...look where they are right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RippyO Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 We got Andy Pratt for Cruz. Whoop-ee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Can the Marlins, or any other team talk to Helling(or his agent) before the Twins release him?? Not knowing for sure, I would say no, because he's property of the Twins and that would be tampering. I guess what I'm getting at is it seems like Rick will have to judge interest by the number of scouts at the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins2003 Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 Can the Marlins, or any other team talk to Helling(or his agent) before the Twins release him?? Not knowing for sure, I would say no, because he's property of the Twins and that would be tampering. I guess what I'm getting at is it seems like Rick will have to judge interest by the number of scouts at the game. The twins gave Helling the right to talk to other teams several days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotcorner Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 I think I like the idea of a Rick Helling more than the actual Rick Helling. I don't recall him pitching very well when he came over last season... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins2003 Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 I think I like the idea of a Rick Helling more than the actual Rick Helling. I don't recall him pitching very well when he came over last season... I don't disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alejandro Sosa Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 I think I like the idea of a Rick Helling more than the actual Rick Helling. I don't recall him pitching very well when he came over last season... I don't disagree. HUH? he was lights out for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 I think I like the idea of a Rick Helling more than the actual Rick Helling. I don't recall him pitching very well when he came over last season... 16.1 IP 1er .55era sorry to bust your chops HC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 He was that good with us? Wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishfan25 Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 I think I like the idea of a Rick Helling more than the actual Rick Helling. I don't recall him pitching very well when he came over last season... 16.1 IP 1er .55era sorry to bust your chops HC marlins sign helling bump goes to AAA that would work great. even though i really like bump he is in a funk. if he wasn't i would say borland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Helling will want to start, I doubt he chooses us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 He might just start with us yet. Oliver and Willis are both question marks in the rotation at this point and AJ is only going to take one spot. Willis will be given more chances as he should but there is a chance he'll be in the bullpen and we all know that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Does anyone seriously see Rick F. Helling as the answer to our bullpen problems? Or even better than Bump or Wayne? Possibly, but by the slimmest of margins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Does anyone seriously see Rick F. Helling as the answer to our bullpen problems? Or even better than Bump or Wayne? Possibly, but by the slimmest of margins. At the moment, anything is an upgrade over Bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBMarlin Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Does anyone seriously see Rick F. Helling as the answer to our bullpen problems? Or even better than Bump or Wayne? Possibly, but by the slimmest of margins. I see Helling as a good addition in a long relief role. We still need to find solid 7th and 8th inning guys. Borland may be able to take one of these roles. We'll see. Perisho has been effective as a lefty specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Does anyone seriously see Rick F. Helling as the answer to our bullpen problems? Or even better than Bump or Wayne? Possibly, but by the slimmest of margins. I see Helling as a good addition in a long relief role. We still need to find solid 7th and 8th inning guys. Borland may be able to take one of these roles. We'll see. Perisho has been effective as a lefty specialist. He might be useful if he takes over Oliver's role in the pen once Burnett returns. But look at what we are talking about here. Will Helling make any difference. I say definitely not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBMarlin Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Does anyone seriously see Rick F. Helling as the answer to our bullpen problems?? Or even better than Bump or Wayne?? Possibly, but by the slimmest of margins. I see Helling as a good addition in a long relief role. We still need to find solid 7th and 8th inning guys. Borland may be able to take one of these roles. We'll see. Perisho has been effective as a lefty specialist. He might be useful if he takes over Oliver's role in the pen once Burnett returns. But look at what we are talking about here. Will Helling make any difference. I say definitely not. The nice thing about Helling is he won't cost us a prospect...and is an upgrade over anyone else in the long relief role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catchoftheday Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Does anyone seriously see Rick F. Helling as the answer to our bullpen problems?? Or even better than Bump or Wayne?? Possibly, but by the slimmest of margins. I see Helling as a good addition in a long relief role. We still need to find solid 7th and 8th inning guys. Borland may be able to take one of these roles. We'll see. Perisho has been effective as a lefty specialist. He might be useful if he takes over Oliver's role in the pen once Burnett returns. But look at what we are talking about here. Will Helling make any difference. I say definitely not. which is to my/teams perception in about a month or so ... I dont think thats a reasonable option for him or the marlins .... I think the FO is set on Moving Oliver to the pen once AJ is back, and they are counting on that to actually help.  Which I dont knwo how much help it could give us with having 3 Lefty's in the pen (Oliver, Phelps, Perisho) and only 3 rightys (Wayne, Bump & Borland)  I think the only way we will take a shot at Helling (any other righty) is if we could demote/release/trade Oliver ... and I wouldnt mind seeying Phelps demoted as well and bring up Tejera (who has been pitching lights out) and Bump goes to Long relief less preassure situations ... Unfortunatly we need Bump right now since our pen is stacked with lefty's, and Even if Helling (or any other righty) is signed Bump will still be needed until Fox is back.  I would like to see some changes leading to AJ's return, but don't be surpriced if the FO thinks that adding Oliver to the pen and bringing AJ to the rotation is the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 and only 2 rightys (Bump & Borland) Wayne died? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 and only 2 rightys (Bump & Borland) Wayne died? his arm did oh snap, no i di'nt, oh snap sorry :nogood : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catchoftheday Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 and only 2 rightys (Bump & Borland) Wayne died? sorry ... fixed, but than send Bumps behind to AAA along with Phelps and sign that "Helling" or whoever it might be (via trade/sign/whatever) and bring up Tejera .... I just think that 3 lefty's is unnecessary ... but we dont have anything else and Tejera(L) is pitching well. we just dont have any options that I would feel comfortable with down at the farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins2003 Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 I have to agree and disagree with Sham. Rick Helling is not THE ANSWER to our bullpen woes, but he can be (or someone like him can be) PART OF THE ANSWER. You build a bullpen, one arm at a time and if healthy Rick may be one arm on the way to stabilizing our pen. I know I keep bringing up Ricky Bottalico but there's a reason. Here's a guy who is in twilight of his career, he can no longer close night in and night out, in fact he probably couldn't pitch three innings over three nights anymore but in the right situation, for an inning or a batter or two, you can depend on him (as his .79 ERA indicates) to draw upon his years of pitching experience and the knowledge he's accumulated to get the job done. The same thing "may" be said of Helling.  Here's a guy who, if healthy and if he can his velocity up, can start, can long relieve and if called upon can give you a ninth inning. As I alluded to in the post that started this thread, there may be other factors that would not make him an enviable pickup but as PB points out, he's a freebie in that he won't cost anything except money to sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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