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'd rather keep Helms since we won't really get much in return and he's cheap and solid of then bench and trade them Cantu and possibly Robertson for a B prospect or for a couple of C prospects.

If a bidding "war" ensues, we may get above-market value for him. Let Uncle Wes go for now and come back in the offseason. I'll wish him well and root for him to get a ring, even though he made a silly (rookie?) mental mistake tonight when trying to take 2nd base in a 8-0 game.

The infatuation for Wes Helms on this board and around the organization is silly to me. He's so replaceable, it's not even funny. I hope we trade him, and I could care less whether or not he comes back next year. If they do bring him back, don't give him another 2 year deal, please.

He's been so weird this year; complete opposite of what he was last year. Last year, he was a ridiculously good PH (.347 .418 .408) and this year, he's only been good when he starts (PH: .133 .188 .233).

 

As for my view on him, I half agree with Erick: he's awfully replaceable. Talent wise. But what he brings to the clubhouse may be a bit hard to find. He's verrrrrrry respected by teammates and just a great all-around clubhouse guy, probably one of the best in the league. Overall, I wouldn't be opposed to letting him go but the team morale could suffer a little bit. I'd actually be for what people were saying before Edwin was hired: when he retires, bring him back as a hitting coach solely for what he brings to a clubhouse.

He's been so weird this year; complete opposite of what he was last year. Last year, he was a ridiculously good PH (.347 .418 .408) and this year, he's only been good when he starts (PH: .133 .188 .233).

 

As for my view on him, I half agree with Erick: he's awfully replaceable. Talent wise. But what he brings to the clubhouse may be a bit hard to find. He's verrrrrrry respected by teammates and just a great all-around clubhouse guy, probably one of the best in the league. Overall, I wouldn't be opposed to letting him go but the team morale could suffer a little bit. I'd actually be for what people were saying before Edwin was hired: when he retires, bring him back as a hitting coach solely for what he brings to a clubhouse.

 

 

 

That's the best thing one can say about him, and that doesn't win ballgames. Absolutely replaceable. As for that comment, he's considered one of the leaders of the team because of his experience, but that doesn't mean he's very respected by everyone. If he was very respected by everyone, the best player on the team would pay attention to him more often about hustling and coming out earlier for team meetings, etc.

 

At the end of the day, you're not going to have 25 guys who get along; you win with talent, and while he's certainly our best bat off the bench, that's simply just a bad thing. Regardless of his pinch-hit splits which as we can see have differed from last year to this one...one thing remains consistent with him, and that's the fact that Wes Helms has .OPS'd under .700 the past 3 years, and is on pace to do so again, this year. Extremely replaceable, especially since we won't be needing him late in games anymore for defense once Cantu leaves, and we get a better defensive 3B to replace him.

The infatuation for Wes Helms on this board and around the organization is silly to me. He's so replaceable, it's not even funny. I hope we trade him, and I could care less whether or not he comes back next year. If they do bring him back, don't give him another 2 year deal, please.

 

I agree.

 

He has been absolutely terrible off of the bench this season as a pinch hitter or late-inning sub (.149/.216/.213/.428).

 

In fact, I hope he doesn't come back next year. It's time for new blood. You know he will be back, though.

I'm also skeptical that he is that liked in the clubhouse. The media loves to go to Helms because he is the token veteran and Helms loves to speak his mind, but none of this amounts to his presence actually being respected and valuable to the team.

i I like Wes but he is replaceable.

 

I would like us to at some point have veteran leader guy who is a starter not a bench player. Preferably at catcher.

I'm also of the "Helms is replaceable" mindset and although I do agree that not all of the Marlins players may view him as a leader or respect his presence -as some of you have mentioned- I do think he has had a positive influence on at least some of our less experienced players. I remember way in the beginning of the season they were speaking with Gaby in a pre-game show and they (Forte or Minervini, can't remember which) asked him which of the players has helped him the most and he mentioned Helms. I also remember Coghlan saying something to the same effect during a post-game show this season. Of course, I'm not saying that Helms is the root of their success or that having Helms around suddenly makes the Marlins a better club but I'm sure having him around has at least helped Gaby and Cogs transition into the big leagues.

 

Contradicting what I just wrote, I remember the year before Helms was given the 2 year contract I read an article where it mentioned that the players call (called?) Helms, "The Warden" in reference to how he tried to enforce stringent rules on the players. It's certainly possible that the more mature players don't care for that type of "veteran presence".

Yes he's replaceable, but you're replacing him with replaceable players as well. Nobody good signs up to be on a bench, your pick of the litter is the runts. There are other bats I'd much rather have on the bench, but the difference between Helms and them is negligible, mostly given the amount of PA we're talking about.

 

Also, part of the reason why he's doing worse as PH this year he also has to face a lot more right handed pitching because we don't have a left handed bat (Though obviously it doesn't account for the entire problem). % of PA that's against RHP

 

10: 75%

09: 55%

08: 60%

07: 57%

 

So in a normal ~250 PA season for wes helms, we're talking about +50 more PA against righties and -50 pa less against lefties.

 

Mike Lamb, Brett Hayes (not that we have a choice right now), Brian Barden, Emilio Bonifacio, Brett Carroll...these are the issues, not Helms. And while yes, having one of the final 3 is a good thing for defensive replacements, we've been carrying at least two for most of the season (And Carroll can be fine as a platoon player but he's a horrible PHer, so no platoon and all your left with is PH).

 

The hope was for Bryan Petersen to take over this role next year, but he's having a horrible year both here and in NOLA. So we're going to have to look outside the organization for this piece.

Just because Hanley still sometimes lack hustle, that doesn't mean that he wouldn't have been worse without Wes on the team. (I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case, I'm just pointing out the flaw in that reasoning.)

Just because Hanley still sometimes lack hustle, that doesn't mean that he wouldn't have been worse without Wes on the team. (I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case, I'm just pointing out the flaw in that reasoning.)

 

 

I see you haven't forgotten your training in logical reasoning???

Helms is a bad bat and now a lousy fielder

 

Make him the third base coach.

Just because Hanley still sometimes lack hustle, that doesn't mean that he wouldn't have been worse without Wes on the team. (I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case, I'm just pointing out the flaw in that reasoning.)

 

 

 

Helms and Hanley don't really get along. They've had their fair share of problems, both reported and not reported.

Helms is a bad bat and now a lousy fielder

 

Make him the third base coach.

 

If he's into taking retarded chances such as getting thrown out a 2B in an 8-0 game then I don't want him as a 3B coach.

Just because Hanley still sometimes lack hustle, that doesn't mean that he wouldn't have been worse without Wes on the team. (I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case, I'm just pointing out the flaw in that reasoning.)

 

 

 

Helms and Hanley don't really get along. They've had their fair share of problems, both reported and not reported.

 

Everyone knows this but I'd still take Helms in a brawl any time.

 

Chris Coghlan, Gaby Sanchez and just the other day Donnie Murphy have all thanked Helms for his work, as did I believe Mike stanton, when they came and for a guy like Sanchez, he still is. While some here think because Bill James hasn't come up with a stat to quantify it there is no value to what Helms provides in the clubhouse and working with younger players, that doesn't mean he isn't providing something unique to the organization. In fact just the other day when it came out the Yankees were interested, two thoughts emerged, that even if Helms were to be traded this summer (I believe because the organization would of decided they were not going to be able to contend and out of respect were giving him the opportunity to be part of a playoff run and maybe further something like perhaps Darren Dalton in 1997) the Marlins wanted to re-sign him in 2011 and also saw him as a coach in their organization when he retired from major league baseball.

 

Like it or not, he seems well respected by decision-makers in the organization and players alike, and that's good enough for me.

Helms is a bad bat and now a lousy fielder

 

Make him the third base coach.

 

If he's into taking retarded chances such as getting thrown out a 2B in an 8-0 game then I don't want him as a 3B coach.

 

Good point.

 

Minor league roving Uncle.

Just because Hanley still sometimes lack hustle, that doesn't mean that he wouldn't have been worse without Wes on the team. (I'm not saying that this is necessarily the case, I'm just pointing out the flaw in that reasoning.)

 

 

 

Helms and Hanley don't really get along. They've had their fair share of problems, both reported and not reported.

 

Everyone knows this but I'd still take Helms in a brawl any time.

 

Chris Coghlan, Gaby Sanchez and just the other day Donnie Murphy have all thanked Helms for his work, as did I believe Mike stanton, when they came and for a guy like Sanchez, he still is. While some here think because Bill James hasn't come up with a stat to quantify it there is no value to what Helms provides in the clubhouse and working with younger players, that doesn't mean he isn't providing something unique to the organization. In fact just the other day when it came out the Yankees were interested, two thoughts emerged, that even if Helms were to be traded this summer (I believe because the organization would of decided they were not going to be able to contend and out of respect were giving him the opportunity to be part of a playoff run and maybe further something like perhaps Darren Dalton in 1997) the Marlins wanted to re-sign him in 2011 and also saw him as a coach in their organization when he retired from major league baseball.

 

Like it or not, he seems well respected by decision-makers in the organization and players alike, and that's good enough for me.

 

 

That's very nice and all, but again...that doesn't win ballgames. Production does. If we can trade him and get an average prospect in return or a guy who as you always like to say can help us win now, we should make the trade, and not worry about him coming back next year because even if he doesn't, he's totally replaceable. I'm not saying he's terrible, but a veteran bat off the bench isn't incredibly difficult to find.

Helms rarely walks and Ks a lot.. not the type of dicisplined type hitter I want teaching my young prospects.

Helms rarely walks and Ks a lot.. not the type of dicisplined type hitter I want teaching my young prospects.

 

 

 

Yeah, and he doesn't exactly provide power off the bench, either.

Helms rarely walks and Ks a lot.. not the type of dicisplined type hitter I want teaching my young prospects.

 

That's a shame because Helms is the only player on the team paid to hit.

Yes he's replaceable, but you're replacing him with replaceable players as well. Nobody good signs up to be on a bench, your pick of the litter is the runts. There are other bats I'd much rather have on the bench, but the difference between Helms and them is negligible, mostly given the amount of PA we're talking about.

 

Also, part of the reason why he's doing worse as PH this year he also has to face a lot more right handed pitching because we don't have a left handed bat (Though obviously it doesn't account for the entire problem). % of PA that's against RHP

 

10: 75%

09: 55%

08: 60%

07: 57%

 

So in a normal ~250 PA season for wes helms, we're talking about +50 more PA against righties and -50 pa less against lefties.

 

Mike Lamb, Brett Hayes (not that we have a choice right now), Brian Barden, Emilio Bonifacio, Brett Carroll...these are the issues, not Helms. And while yes, having one of the final 3 is a good thing for defensive replacements, we've been carrying at least two for most of the season (And Carroll can be fine as a platoon player but he's a horrible PHer, so no platoon and all your left with is PH).

 

The hope was for Bryan Petersen to take over this role next year, but he's having a horrible year both here and in NOLA. So we're going to have to look outside the organization for this piece.

 

Exactly. It's not like there's such thing as a star player being a bench player. Yeah, this year, he's been terrible as a PH but he's made up for it in spot starts, as I eluded to, plus he's been really solid on D. Of course PHing is probably the thing you want the most off of the bench but considering he's a career .275 PHer and that he PHed .347 just last year, I think his struggles this year are a fluke.

 

Nny got it: Helms isn't a problem.

I would trade Helms to any team that would give you a prospect with the potential to be a decent major leaguer some day.

I would trade Helms to any team that would give you a prospect with the potential to be a decent major leaguer some day.

 

 

That pretty much says you're giving up on this year. Helms isn't great but he's already a "decent major leaguer." And I agree with those who have said that Helms isn't the problem, it's most of the rest of the bench. Helms at least has a respectable major league record.

You can't just get rid of a 'clubhouse leader' and not suffer some consequences. We need Wes Helms so that we can maintain 'team chemistry' and ensure 'team camaraderie'. Every major league team needs a 'veteran presence' like Wes Helms in order to succeed as a team. :mischiefEDIT: If people didn't get this...It's sarcasm