Braves sign Helms to minor league contract
Four days after the Marlins released veteran infielder Wes Helms, his former team signed him to a minor league contract. The Braves assigned Helms to Triple-A Gwinnett. He’ll meet up with the G-Braves Saturday in Charlotte.
Helms, who plays primarily first and third base, gives the Braves insurance if there’s an injury and provides another veteran they could call on when rosters expand in September. Helms played 90 games at third base last year for the Marlins and could give the Braves another option at third base if Chipper Jones continues to have problems with nagging injuries.
Helms, 35, hit .191 with no home runs and six RBIs in 69 games with the Marlins this season, with whom he has spent five of the past six seasons.
The Braves drafted Helms in the 10th round in 1994. He spent parts of the 1998 and 2000 seasons in Atlanta before playing two full seasons with them in 2001 and 2002. The Braves traded him to Milwaukee in December 2002 in a deal for reliever Ray King.
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75 comments Add your comment
lyonsjimmy
August 17th, 2011
8:26 pm
and?
garynpOH
August 17th, 2011
8:31 pm
ditto
Ronald Millsaps
August 17th, 2011
8:32 pm
Not sure what I’ve missed on here in the last 24 hours, but I’m saving the comments of a certain troublemaker.
I distinctly remember Wes Helms having a big spring tranining in 2000 (eight homers). After that he seldom played.
Speaking of homers, lost in the shuffle of Dan Uggla’s hitting streak has been his home-run total in that span and his RBI total, not to mention his actual average in that span. Don’t let the broken streak bother you, Dan. Keep hitting for power. The former is highly impressive; the latter is more impressive.
Need to come back and win tonight. By the way, I don’t see Atlanta winning the Wild Card. My prediction for this achievement? Philadelphia.
Ronald Millsaps
August 17th, 2011
8:33 pm
training*
Ruby Dassie
August 17th, 2011
8:33 pm
So Braves need a .191 over the hill hitter ? Go and sign Troy Glaus again…
Ruby Dassie
August 17th, 2011
8:35 pm
Nice for Jair not to show up tonight… And Delgado gets sent to minors ? Damn.
Ronald Millsaps
August 17th, 2011
8:36 pm
I say Prado, McCann, and Uggla hit one out tonight. A lot of baseball remains.
Batboy
August 17th, 2011
8:37 pm
Game over tonite. Cain ain’t giving up 5 runs.
Batboy
August 17th, 2011
8:38 pm
Ronald, I thought you were blind ? You missed a lot.
Ronald Millsaps
August 17th, 2011
8:39 pm
By the way, congratulations to Kobe Bryant; camera phone-abuse is quite rampant in society. For the record, its opposition to it is the one thing the ACLU ever got right.
Ronald Millsaps
August 17th, 2011
8:39 pm
camera-phone abuse*
mathman
August 17th, 2011
8:48 pm
Fredi, please have these guys coming off DL throw some rehab innings in the minors. Linebrink, JJ, and probably Hanson should not just be thrown into the fire. It is costing us games.
Pisscapoli
August 17th, 2011
8:51 pm
Whiteside’s gor more grey hair than Don Sutton does…
Pisscapoli
August 17th, 2011
8:52 pm
This is Carroll’s blog methman.
Pisscapoli
August 17th, 2011
8:54 pm
Carroll,please ask the manager why Delgado was sent down after tossing 6 shutout innings yet Jair gives up 5 in 6 innings but stays in rotation ? Inspiring mindz wanna knowed.
Pisscapoli
August 17th, 2011
8:56 pm
There’s no way you can convince anybody here blogging that Linebrink & Sherrill are better choices in the bullpen over Delgado & Teheran. Nobody. Maybe Nolee.
Turtsnap
August 17th, 2011
9:03 pm
Isn’t it funny how many questioned Bochy’s decision to start Halladay in the ASG over Jurrjens….. appears to be a smart decision now
Bob Dumlao
August 17th, 2011
9:10 pm
We don’t have any prospects much younger and could bat .191
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:12 pm
Agreed. Bochy knew Jair was a fluke.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:13 pm
Heck, put Martinez in either lowe’s or Jair’s spot in rotation.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:14 pm
Bad glove Heyward.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:16 pm
That was an error not a double. It hit IN Heyward’s glove. Home cooking on the scoring…
tom.hawk
August 17th, 2011
9:17 pm
Our stqrting pitching is in shambles. We’d be fortunate to play .500 ball the rest of the way but that may be good enough for the WC
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:18 pm
That was an automatic DP. Uggla is Mr. Struggla on D.
UGAFAN13
August 17th, 2011
9:19 pm
And not only is Jason’s offense stinky his glove is not far behind. He is over rated and needs to be sent down to figure things out.
chuck simon's barber shop
August 17th, 2011
9:20 pm
A winning strategy would be to let Lowe work it out in middle relief and have one of the young studs in his slot. But these are major league egos. Lowe wouldn’t get over it. Fredi’s shown more guts than Bobby, but that’s asking too much
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:21 pm
It won’t really matter though. Halladay,Lee,Hamels,& Oswalt will make cut bait of Braves offense.
J-Man
August 17th, 2011
9:23 pm
Even though he is hitting .191. A few weeks in Triple A might be what the doctor ordered. If he can get his stroke back from last year then we have a Right-Handed Hinske…….If not WE SIGNED HIM TO A MINOR LEAGUE DEAL……oh well no biggie. About Jurrgens he had a bad night coming back I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until his next start but if he sucks then In all honesty we will have 2 versions of Derek Lowe. With Teheren and Delgado pitching in minor league games.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:24 pm
Martinez outpitched Jair plain & simple. But he is the mop up man ? I’d start him & put Jair in mop up.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:26 pm
Fuuuk ego. Ever who performs well gets the spots. Throw ego out the window.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:33 pm
Linestink issues an immediate walk. Great.
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:35 pm
Joe, those links to get to O’Flaherty,Venters,& Kimbrel are wasting in minors (Teheran & delgado).
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:36 pm
Linestink spells padding the lead NOT RELIEF
Lucy Pevensie
August 17th, 2011
9:38 pm
Linestink is freaking useless. Like teets on a boar hog. Is he secretly playing for the Giants ?
Lucky Limbaugh
August 17th, 2011
9:39 pm
Can Wes Helms pitch ?
Lucky Limbaugh
August 17th, 2011
9:42 pm
Righetti looks like he’s taking a dump on the bench…
john
August 17th, 2011
9:56 pm
Why not send lugo down and bring up helms I do believe helms can also play ss and he has a little better bat than lugo
Bigbrave
August 17th, 2011
9:56 pm
Helms is 6-4 230. Why isn’t he a power hitter? Maybe it’s time for the roids at 35?
Lucky Limbaugh
August 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
See, if Linestink doesn’t give up 2 runs in an inning its tied 5-5 right now.
up north
August 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
Ugh on Helms. It is time to show Linebrink the door. Sorry, but look what a difference those two runs would have made.
Rupert
August 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
He is my cousin. Really good guy.
Robert fm Woodstock
August 17th, 2011
10:07 pm
Frank baby its time to cut bait with Linebrink as he hasn’t shown anything since he came off DL. The last 2 times he has pitched given up runs.
BravesfaninWis
August 17th, 2011
10:07 pm
Looks like a decent attempt at a comeback, but it didn’t happen. A 6 run deficit is hard to overcome late in a game. Of course they would have had a shot if Linestink wouldn’t have given up more runs. Oh well, can’t win them all. Hopefully the Braves can beat up on Lincecum tomorrow and win the series.
Robert fm Woodstock
August 17th, 2011
10:10 pm
BravesfaninWIs, I hope you are right about tomorrow. The Linecum pitcher, former CY award winner, usually owns the Braves.
Lucky Limbaugh
August 17th, 2011
10:25 pm
Linebrink = Proctor
Navigator
August 17th, 2011
11:21 pm
Well, the Braves are just above .500 since the allstar break. Philly has been hot, the Brewers are hot, and the Braves are what we thought they were. They have pitchers on and off the disabled list, Chipper has been on and off the disabled list (as he has for half his career), but there are some bright spots. Speed is now part of the equations for the Braves, which they haven’t had for awhile. There are some talented young arms coming up through the minors, and they now have young talent at first base as well. This team has a future, but until most of the old guys are around (save Uggla second half rebirth), they will be a drain on the team and their finances. I think this year will finally convince the management they need to make some hard decisions in the off season, whether they want to or not.
Jay
August 18th, 2011
12:18 am
Helms starting at third would give us protection against having to play Heyward…if Helms has anything left.
Roo Roo
August 18th, 2011
1:02 am
Helms for Fat Ray King. Now that was a great trade JS made back in the day.
Braves sign Helms to minor league contract | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
August 18th, 2011
5:28 am
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
Arkie
August 18th, 2011
6:48 am
I agree with Mathman – when a pitcher comes off DL let him have a few starts in AAA. Pitch location is every thing. Fredi this will add to our win total. With the young guns coming, get a real pitching coach and let him use them correctly. What about the best pitcher in Braves history. He might be interested. Call Maddox. He could teach our flame throwers the art of pitching. Go Chipper & Go Braves!
jerry
August 18th, 2011
6:51 am
Jones, Teheran, and Lugo. One too many Julios.
urban redneck
August 18th, 2011
8:03 am
sweet, we’re sure to take it all now with helms back.
why the continued knocks on uggly’s defense? before he came here, i heard his defense was terrible. i have been pleasantly surprised by his dexterity in the field. and he’s gonna hit 35 long balls, not 30. the rbi’s? well 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
01HAWK
August 18th, 2011
8:17 am
Helms I believe is not a player anymore. He will not be with the BRAVES next year. He will come up in September and then will be gone next year.
Jefferson
August 18th, 2011
9:21 am
So Braves need a .191 over the hill hitter ? Go and sign Troy Glaus again…
That probably wouldnt be a bad idea. Better RH option off bench than Helms. I still think we need try to get Thome to PH off bench. That guy has been beasting of late against RHP & LHP
don
August 18th, 2011
9:36 am
Helms is a good pickup.
Doug
August 18th, 2011
10:30 am
I will take Wes Helms over Lugo every day of the week! Let Helms get some at bats in triple A and give him at least a chance. Another right handed bat with some power is what we need and he is great insurance just incase Chipper has any more issues down the stretch.
I always have like Helms, however Jones was in his prime and Helms had no place to play in Atlanta so he was dealt. I do remember how the ball just exploded off his bat, Wes is hard nosed ( Dad was ex Red Tommy Helms) and a real team player. Great addition….. forget the .191 he wasn’t getting any at bats.
Kentavo
August 18th, 2011
10:35 am
I agree Helms is a better option to spot start than Conrad; let Conrad PH, he’s good at it despite the 2.40 avg.
Jimmy Beam, you are my friend
August 18th, 2011
11:04 am
Yep. Low cost insurance. That’s it.
Pelu Maad
August 18th, 2011
11:48 am
From a Marlins fan…thank you Uncle Wes, and good luck in your coaching/managing career.
willieg hates bill shanks
August 18th, 2011
12:14 pm
i told you all yesterday the braves would lose yesterday and today and thats whats going to happen. this is a night game tim lincecum will make the braves hitters look foolish tonight i said yesterday that jurrgens was not ready to come back and the bullpen would not be scorless last night i was right unless the braves get 2more pitchers for playoffs they will not even get in tim hudson cant pitch every day sorry brave fans well you have football to look foward to well not really the falcons will sux to this year.
willieg hates bill shanks
August 18th, 2011
12:17 pm
gGO SIGN BARRY BOND TO A MINOR CONTRACT GET HIM IN SHAPE AND PUT HIM ON THE ROSTER FOR PLAYOFFS HE STILL WANTS A RING YOU WILL HAVE A SLIM CHANCE TO BEAT THE PHILLIES
jt
August 18th, 2011
12:33 pm
Braves cannot hit good pitching! That’s just a fact! And now that the “FreaK” is pitching good, he could throw a no-hitter against these guys.
STRETCH
August 18th, 2011
12:43 pm
Indians Release Austin Kearns
By Dan Mennella [August 18 at 11:21am CST]
The Indians have released outfielder Austin Kearns, according to a club press release.
The Tribe designated Kearns for assignment last week to make room on the active roster for Shin-Soo Choo, who was activated from the disabled list. Now, after clearing waivers, the 31-year-old is a free agent.
Kearns re-signed with Cleveland on a one-year, $1.3MM contract in December. He began the 2010 campaign with the Indians but was traded to the Yankees prior to the non-waiver trade deadline.
The former first-round pick (No. 7 overall) was once a highy touted prospect in the Reds organization, but has played mostly like a fourth outfielder or platoon type throughout his career. He has hit .254/.350/.417 in 10 big league seasons with the Reds, Nationals, Indians and Yankees.
Skeezix
August 18th, 2011
12:51 pm
Welcome back Wes! ………………….Sorry you had to be a Fish for so long.
Skeezix
August 18th, 2011
1:02 pm
Most days good pitching will beat even good hitters. That’s why the Phillies are running away with the NL East. That’s why Venters and Kimbrel almost never blow a lead no matter how good the batters are that they are facing.
Brava
August 18th, 2011
1:14 pm
This is a solid move that could pay off for the Braves down the stretch. Welcome back to the Braves, Wes!
Heb11:1
August 18th, 2011
3:28 pm
Wes Helms strikes me as a solid player who can back up Chipper. He’s definitely better than Prado defensively at third base. He may flourish in the role back here in Atlanta.
Stacy Keibler's legs
August 18th, 2011
4:50 pm
Helms used to a be a pretty decent pinch-hitter. He hasn’t done much the last couple seasons though.
stizz
August 18th, 2011
8:57 pm
Joe Simpson is ridiculous the way he’s been gushing about Cody Ross and Lincecum.
Clean up in announcers booth.
wins-by-a-link
August 18th, 2011
9:19 pm
Gonzo may have a glove but the bat is sadly missing.
Joe Tess Fish House
August 18th, 2011
9:47 pm
Enter your comments here
Joe Tess Fish House
August 18th, 2011
9:48 pm
Wes Hlems? Braves continue 2 proof they will not make the playoffs with moves like this.
bigbrave
August 18th, 2011
10:18 pm
Hey willieg hates bill shanks – Chipper beat your freak!
JackDennis
August 19th, 2011
4:27 pm
Helms is an excellent utility guy. Course you non-knowing mopes wouldn’t get that.
upstate guy
August 19th, 2011
7:02 pm
Anybody think that Wren stepped in it by not getting Hunter Pence before the trade deadline?