Phillies ship out Helms

The Phillies designated third baseman Wes Helms for assignment after officially signing reliever Rudy Seanez today.

Helms was a disappointment for the Phillies last season. He was the Opening Day third baseman but finished the season with a .246 average with five home runs and 39 RBI. His departure seemed only a matter of time once the Phillies signed Pedro Feliz in the offseason.

The Phillies have 10 days to trade or release Helms. His contract calls for $2.15 million this season and he has an option for next season at $750,000.

Seanez, who was released by Los Angeles last week, agreed to a 1-year contract believed to be worth $400,000, with up to $750,000 available in performance bonuses.

Seanez, 39, spent last season with the Dodgers and went 6-3 with one save and a 3.79 ERA in a career-high 73 appearances. He had 73 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched and posted a 2.89 ERA in his final 26 games of the season. Seanez appeared in only five games this spring for the Dodgers.