The Twins announced that they’ve traded utility player Michael Helman to the Cardinals for cash. He’ll occupy a 40-man roster spot with St. Louis. The Cardinals had a vacancy, so no additional move was necessary.
Minnesota had a full 40-man roster and needed to create two openings. They have agreed to free agent deals with Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe this week. Neither contract has been finalized. Helman is the first of two players whom the Twins will squeeze off the roster.
An 11th-round pick in 2018, Helman reached the majors last year. He appeared in nine games and went 3-10 with a pair of doubles. The 28-year-old spent most of the season at Triple-A St. Paul. He had a nice year, hitting .271/.350/.487 across 314 plate appearances. Helman hit 14 home runs and went 12-13 on stolen base attempts.
Helman is a right-handed batter who provides multi-positional versatility. He has played more than 1400 innings at second base in his minor league career. He has logged more than 1000 innings in the outfield — much of that in center — with some action at both positions on the left side of the infield. Helman still has a full slate of minor league options and can be kept at Triple-A Memphis for the foreseeable future.
This is the Cardinals’ first trade acquisition of the offseason. St. Louis is also the only team that has yet to sign a free agent to a major league deal. Helman is the third player they’ve added to their 40-man roster since the end of the season. Waiver pickups Roddery Muñoz and Bailey Horn are depth additions on the pitching side. Ownership has seemingly left the front office with minimal spending room in the absence of a payroll-clearing trade.
Katie Woo of The Athletic reported the Helman trade just before the official announcement.
Mayo de noche
Interesting move with Donovan already with a gold glove for utility man.
With Mozeliak still in charge of the Cardinals the only moves you will see until the end of the season will be interesting moves!!
However —- none of Mozeliak’s moves will be beneficial in making the Cardinals a contender this season or in the future.
@Lets – Twins needed to open two 40 man spots after signing Bader & Coloumbe.
This is just minor league depth
Taking up a spot on the 40 man.
BITA
Agree. Even if they trade Arenado before Opening Day – which eems unlikely – I think Saggese or Gorman joins Donovan in infield, not Helman.
Cards’ outfield is pretty left-handed. Burleson, Nootbarr, Siani, and Scott swing from the left side. Assuming Arenado gets moved, Gorman will attempt to handle 3rd. Walker, a righty is also a question mark. Saggese should get first try, but I can see how Helman could play occasionally, plus his speed an defensive capability offers a number of options.
Someone is injured I bet.
Too bad trade wasn’t Hellman for Coby Mayo.
For those from the West Coast, Best Foods mayonnaise is called Hellmann’s mayonnaise on the East Coast. Both owned by the Unilever company.
Ok ok.. how much money did the Cardinals defer and how much are the Twin eating?
Since it’s the Twins, they are eating twice as much. As for the Cards I don’t have a clue what they are doing deferently.
“Helman is the first of two players whom the Twins will squeeze off the roster.”
I see what you did there.
Yay, finally signed the poor man’s Tommy Edman
Such a Cardinals player.
How much cash was necessary to acquire Helman? His AAA work looks good and he appears to be versatile. I hope this is not the necessary move to trade Donovan.
Bring out the best
I want to have faith but 28 yr old utility players don’t scream talent evaluation and development opportunities. Depth is good but even at AAA they should be letting the young guys play if that’s their new philosophy.
It’s Best Foods out here on the west coast
More Helman’s here in México!
That’s a tangy move by the Birds. Hopefully they don’t spread him too thin in the field. Either way, it’s too early to approve it or condiment.
Finally the move we have all been waiting for. Mo still has his gift of snapping up that low hanging fruit. Nice to go out with a bang in his final season.
Was this a trade? Was Helman DFA’d?
How about some substance and background on the specifics.