The Phillies and Wes Helms have reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million-$6 million.
A club option for 2009 is included. Helms is a career .263/.316/.431 hitter against right-handers, so at least he has a substantial edge over the Phillies' apparent top choice, Mark DeRosa, there. However, he's not a very good defender. It's a lousy alternative, but if Helms slumps at the beginning of next season, the Phillies could drop him into a platoon role and go with Abraham Nunez at third base against righties. Nunez is just a .247/.313/.329 hitter against righties (and yes, it's easily his better side), but he does have quite an advantage with the glove.