Dump Rico, Add Helms

by guayzimi on Apr 3, 2008 7:28 PM EDT

It's nice that Washington finally got a chance, but the Cardinals need a high-quality, backup corner infielder to spell Glaus and Pujols. Wes Helms has been DFA'd and Philly wants someone to pick up the $2.9 million left on his contract. That's a lot for a 31-year-old Matt Stairs-type who might be over the hill, but if he reverts to 2006 or even 2005 form he could be useful. He posted a 149 OPS+ in '06 in about 250 PAs and he's tough on lefties. I don't want to oversell someone who was bumped aside by Pedro Feliz, but this seems like an obvious chance to upgrade the roster.

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No.

I'd rather give Barden the chance. Or Mather for that matter.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

or keep the roster spot open for Ryan.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on Apr 3, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this one.

by Evilfrog on Apr 3, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

"Is this Heaven?"
"No, it;s Iowa."
"I could've sworn it was Heaven."

by Ted Glover on Apr 3, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The Phillies have wanted #23 for a long time.

There's your deal........

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Apr 3, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

No, the deal was for Micheal Bourn

not this DFA'd benchplayer.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2008 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry, I am dense

but who is Rico?
and who is # 23 ?

by the Tewk on Apr 4, 2008 12:23 AM EDT reply actions

Rico Washington and Anthony Reyes

by davethebutcher on Apr 4, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks; I feel really stupid

this Rico Washington person snuck up on me completely. Did he have a good spring or something? Is he a farm system guy? {isn't he 30 already} or a Miguel Cairo type pick-up after being dumped by someone else? Why him over Mather?
However, I suppose he is just keeping the seat warm for when B. Ryan comes off the DL.

by the Tewk on Apr 4, 2008 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

uncle rico

as he is known around these parts is a career minor leaguer (not sure if he has spent all of it with the cards or not) and he is finally getting his shot. like you said though, he is just keeping ryan's spot nice and toasty.

by lopey986 on Apr 4, 2008 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Options...

I'd have to think that Helms is out of options, therefore he'd have to stay with the big club all year come hell or high water.

Once again are we trying to win this year or next? Just because we had a good Spring and won 2 of 3 from the Rockies doesn't change the fact that we have HUGE queston marks all over the field especially in the starting rotation...Wainwright and Lohse are the only non-question marks there.

Aren't we hoping for enough of our team (especially infield) to revert back to career years?

Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!

by cardzfanbub on Apr 4, 2008 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

wes helms

We are still paying that hash...cash to Spiezio and we have cheap help in the system. To pay that salary to Helms would hamper our ability to pick up help later in the season if we suprise the world and stay in the race.

HEEE HEHEHE BIG BOY- mike shannon

by plunkem on Apr 4, 2008 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

Ryan will take

Uncle Rico's spot, unless "Unk" gets incredibly hot as a pinch-hitter.

The guy's living "the best two weeks of (his) life" right now; Helms isn't much of an upgrade (even if he's an "upgrade" at all)...

I pass...

"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 4, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Helms...

would be sent to AAA when Ryan comes back. So what's the point? The reason why they went with Rico over Jimenez was $. That's all it was. If Helms made the big club, we would have to pay him much more (vet's min) than Rico and have to leave him on the roster all year. And Ryan would be blocked. Picking up Helms would dumb.

by BeastlyAlbert5 on Apr 4, 2008 12:07 PM EDT reply actions