Posted September 8, 201014 yr Here's a Million Dollar Question about the so called professional hitter supposedly worth a Million Dollars. Do you guys think or want Helms as a part of the organization next season? I feel we don't need him in any way especially if we could resign Tracy, who's younger and has been a better hitter then Helms along with being a left handed bat off the bench who can play 1st and 3rd. Helms has without a doubt declined this season in the pinch hitting role and defensively and I feel it's about time he should hang up is spikes and call it quits because he's not getting any better. Hopefully he does and the Marlins can use that $1 Million to a more useful cause like towards a bullpen arm but it's unlikely. I still don't understand why they'd give him that Million Dollars in the middle of the season but what i do know is that guys like Murphy, Tracy, Bonifacio have actually earned a spot on the bench next season and Wes hasn't.
September 8, 201014 yr Wes Helms is no longer useful to this organization. I'd rather resign Tracy and have him on the bench with Bonifacio
September 8, 201014 yr Send him to the Phillies And LOL @ their being a vote for being a bench player.
September 8, 201014 yr Author I would love for him to be back on the bench next year, no question about it. So who do we lose? Tracy, Murphy, Boni, Cousins/B.C., Catcher. There really isn't/shouldn't be any room for him.
September 8, 201014 yr Yes. Without him this board doesn't have any player to point out and get angry at. This board needs a punching bag, and right now it's "The Professional". But honestly, Helms was good last year for us. I don't think it's the worst thing in the world for him to be on this team next year. We've had a lot worse.
September 8, 201014 yr Since dd/mm/yyyy this season when everyone went from hailing wes helms as a savior, to the point where he was forced into a starting role and everyone began wanting him kicked off the team, I've been scouring the internet for his stats as a pinch hitter. I cannot find them anywhere. Wes Helms was initially signed by this team to be a bench bat/pinch hitter. As soon as you negative nancy's can show me his pinch hitting stats since being signed by the Marlins, compared to the league average pinch hitter's stats, then I'll jump on your bandwagon. You can't blame the guy for getting overexposed by the organization as a part-time position player when he was forced into the role based upon organizational decisions out of his control.
September 8, 201014 yr Since dd/mm/yyyy this season when everyone went from hailing wes helms as a savior, to the point where he was forced into a starting role and everyone began wanting him kicked off the team, I've been scouring the internet for his stats as a pinch hitter. I cannot find them anywhere. Wes Helms was initially signed by this team to be a bench bat/pinch hitter. As soon as you negative nancy's can show me his pinch hitting stats since being signed by the Marlins, compared to the league average pinch hitter's stats, then I'll jump on your bandwagon. You can't blame the guy for getting overexposed by the organization as a part-time position player when he was forced into the role based upon organizational decisions out of his control. Entering tonight's game this year as a pinch hitter... .118/.211/.206 That actually is worse now after tonight's game-ending K.
September 8, 201014 yr No sarcasm. I know I'm fighting a losing battle so I'll make my point and end with that. The fact is, historically he is a great pinch hitter. He hasn't been good this year but his numbers with men in scoring position, men on base and men in scoring position w/2 outs (all over .300) are all things that you look for in a pinch hitter off the bench. But thats just me. As far as Murphy and Tracy go, who knows what they bring to the table next year. It will work itself out.. I'm not going to let it bother me though one way or the other.
September 8, 201014 yr Author Since dd/mm/yyyy this season when everyone went from hailing wes helms as a savior, to the point where he was forced into a starting role and everyone began wanting him kicked off the team, I've been scouring the internet for his stats as a pinch hitter. I cannot find them anywhere. Wes Helms was initially signed by this team to be a bench bat/pinch hitter. As soon as you negative nancy's can show me his pinch hitting stats since being signed by the Marlins, compared to the league average pinch hitter's stats, then I'll jump on your bandwagon. You can't blame the guy for getting overexposed by the organization as a part-time position player when he was forced into the role based upon organizational decisions out of his control. He's 4 for 34 this season as a Pinch hitter with 3 BB, 1 HBP,1 2B, 1 3B, and 2 Singles. .118/.211/.206 is his stat line. .234/.307/.369 on the season in 218 AB (238 PA). There are no ifs/ands or buts about it he's been bad this season and isn't even close to what he was last season.
September 8, 201014 yr Author People should know by now pinch-hitting is a fickle art. To some it's difficult yes but others, such as Donnie Murphy this season make it look easy. Am I saying he'll continue his success next season, no but I feel more confident at his abilities at the point of his career rather then Wes.
September 8, 201014 yr The only great thing that Helms has brought to the team this year is his hitting against left-handed pitching. That's not worth $1 million because our 1B kills LHP, and our 3B next year (Coghlan) is not the typical lefty who's bad against lefties. He can hold his own against lefties. I'd rather have the much cheaper Murphy over Helms. Murphy would probably outproduce Helms, and Murphy is more versatile than Helms. If Helms stays, that means either Tracy or Murphy will not make the team next year. I like Cousins, and I'm pretty sure that if he has a good September, he's going to get strong consideration for an Opening Day spot next year. He's a real 4th OF'er, which we haven't had all year until now, really. It's nice to have Bonifacio as a 5th OF'er who can also fill in in the infield/pinch run, etc. Bonifacio shouldn't be a team's Opening Day 4th OF'er. Speaking of Bonifacio...can we just start him at 3B for the rest of the year already? He's earning it. Lets see if he's really improved with a full monthly sample this September. I really like the way he's playing, and I'd really like to see if he can continue it with a good # of AB's.
September 8, 201014 yr Where are you guys finding his pinch hitting stats, and where are his pinch hitting stats from the 2006, 2008, and 2009 season stats since he was initially signed as a bench bat for those seasons? Why don't you guys go ahead and average his pinch hitting stats for all four seasons together, and then compare them to other pinch hitters, and show me the breakdown, because I can't find those stats for the life of me.
September 8, 201014 yr Please add this option to the poll: "He should be a hitting coach for the Phillies"
September 8, 201014 yr 19 ABs as a pinch hitter and you are ready to hand over primary PH duties for an entire year? Listen, I like the guy but lets bet honest.. he is an unknown going in to next year.
September 8, 201014 yr I agree with Erick about giving Bonifacio 3B for the rest of the season, with Tracy getting a start here and there. Who knew we'd be saying that after last year?
September 8, 201014 yr 19 ABs as a pinch hitter and you are ready to hand over primary PH duties for an entire year? Listen, I like the guy but lets bet honest.. he is an unknown going in to next year. You just said yourself that pinch-hitting is a fickle art. I actually agree because pinch-hitting is based on small sample sizes, yearly. I don't believe in good/great pinch-hitters. You're either a good hitter or you're not, imo. Considering that, why not keep Murphy over Helms? -Murphy's cheaper (isn't this why the organization supposedly released Pinto?) -Murphy can play 3B just like Helms, and unlike Helms, Murphy can also fill in at 2B and SS.
September 8, 201014 yr Author Where are you guys finding his pinch hitting stats, and where are his pinch hitting stats from the 2006, 2008, and 2009 season stats since he was initially signed as a bench bat for those seasons? Why don't you guys go ahead and average his pinch hitting stats for all four seasons together, and then compare them to other pinch hitters, and show me the breakdown, because I can't find those stats for the life of me. Head to Baseballreferance.com and look up Wes Helms them splits. You can do it yourself if you want to know. I'm not saying he hasn't been a good pinch hitter in years past because he was great the past two seasons but he just doesn't look the same this season both at the plate and on the field defensively.
September 8, 201014 yr You just said yourself that pinch-hitting is a fickle art. I actually agree because pinch-hitting is based on small sample sizes, yearly. I don't believe in good/great pinch-hitters. You're either a good hitter or you're not, imo. Considering that, why not keep Murphy over Helms? -Murphy's cheaper (isn't this why the organization supposedly released Pinto?) -Murphy can play 3B just like Helms, and unlike Helms, Murphy can also fill in at 2B and SS. It was just stated that Murphy has a major league track record of 19 pinch hit at-bats. Helms has 12 season's worth. Even if they aren't the greatest numbers, at least you know what you're getting. Plus it seems Murphy's injury-prone.
September 8, 201014 yr i'd keep him as a coach/instructor since so many people bring up the fact that he stabilizes the clubhouse and everyone looks up to him. but in no shape or form should he be on the 25 man roster. with tracy performing well as our lefty bat and bonifacio becoming what the organization expected from him last season that fills up our backup infield spots.
September 8, 201014 yr Wes Helms career pinch-hitting: 81 for 300 in 341 PA's .270/.345/.433./.778 OPS, 28 BB, 89 SO, 52 RBI, 7 HR The Marlins' first contract to Helms in 2006 was after Helms delivered a 16 for 42 .381/.460/.619/1.079 OPS pinch-hitting performance the previous season. They are rewarded with a 14-45 .311/.380/.644/1.024 OPS pinch-hitting performance in '06. The second time they brought him back was in 2008 after a disappointing 4 for 32 .125/.194/.156/.351 OPS pinch-hitting performance for the Phillies in '07. But hey, he didn't cost much. Why not see if he couldn't replicate his success from '05 and '06. By golly, 2008 rolls around and he puts up this pinch-hitting line: 13 for 41 .317/.378/.537/.914 OPS Who's going to complain with that? So, they award him a 2 year contract through 2010. 2009 pinch-hitting: 17 for 49 .347/.429/.408/.837 OPS 2010 pinch-hitting: 4 for 34 .118/.211/.206/.416 OPS Everyone and their dog realizes he's having a poor year this season as a pinch hitter. But are you honestly going to criticize the FO for spending $1 million dollars on the chance that he regains his touch as the .328/.397/.526/.923 OPS pinch-hitter he was in '06, '08, and '09 combined? You're nuts!
September 8, 201014 yr Wes Helms career pinch-hitting: 81 for 300 in 341 PA's .270/.345/.433./.778 OPS, 28 BB, 89 SO, 52 RBI, 7 HR The Marlins' first contract to Helms in 2006 was after Helms delivered a 16 for 42 .381/.460/.619/1.079 OPS pinch-hitting performance the previous season. They are rewarded with a 14-45 .311/.380/.644/1.024 OPS pinch-hitting performance in '06. The second time they brought him back was in 2008 after a disappointing 4 for 32 .125/.194/.156/.351 OPS pinch-hitting performance for the Phillies in '07. But hey, he didn't cost much. Why not see if he couldn't replicate his success from '05 and '06. By golly, 2008 rolls around and he puts up this pinch-hitting line: 13 for 41 .317/.378/.537/.914 OPS Who's going to complain with that? So, they award him a 2 year contract through 2010. 2009 pinch-hitting: 17 for 49 .347/.429/.408/.837 OPS 2010 pinch-hitting: 4 for 34 .118/.211/.206/.416 OPS Everyone and their dog realizes he's having a poor year this season as a pinch hitter. But are you honestly going to criticize the FO for spending $1 million dollars on the chance that he regains his touch as the .328/.397/.526/.923 OPS pinch-hitter he was in '06, '08, and '09 combined? You're nuts! They signed him because he's a "veteran leader." If they were so interested in pinch-hitters, they would've signed Ross Gload last year, as well. Bottom line is that it's an unnecessary contract, at this point. That's $1 million that can be spent on a bullpen piece for next year instead.
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