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Brewers infielder Wes Helms was pleased Milwaukee believed in him enough to give him a multiyear contract.
``This was the best Christmas present ever,'' Helms he said Friday after agreeing to a $4.5 million, two-year deal. ``I knew I wanted to be in Milwaukee. I love it here. I won't disappoint Milwaukee,'' he said. ``I'll earn my keep.''
Helms, 27, gets
a $225,000 signing bonus, $1,575,000 next season and $2.7 million in 2005. He
hit .261 last season with 23 homers and 67 RBIs.
``Early in the negotiations, Wes expressed his fondness for the Brewers and
playing in Milwaukee,'' Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. ``The deal
is an indication of what we feel about his performance last season and his future
with the Brewers.''
Helms said he will be part of a developing core of young players that will be productive in upcoming years.
``You can't build success overnight,'' he said. ``Let's get what we need now, the nucleus, and let them play together and in a couple years down the road we'll be were we need to be.''
Helms said the Dec. 1 trade that sent Richie Sexson to Arizona will help the team in the long run. The Brewers received infielder Craig Counsell, second baseman Junior Spivey, first baseman Lyle Overbay, catcher Chad Moeller and left-handers Jorge De La Rosa and Chris Capuano.
``On the business side I wasn't shocked and I understood it but on the personal side I miss him,'' Helms said.
Helms was acquired by the Brewers last December with pitcher John Foster from Atlanta for pitcher Ray King. He was selected by the Braves in the 10th round of the 1994 amateur draft.
Also Friday, outfielder John Vander Wal declined Milwaukee's offer of salary arbitration. The Brewers have until Jan. 8 to re-sign Vander Wal, who hit .257 last season with 14 homers and 45 RBIs.
Also Friday, the Brewers sent pitcher Matt Childers outright to Triple-A Indianapolis. Childers, 25, split last season between Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Indianapolis.
He was given an invitation to spring training as a non-roster player. Also extended invitations were catchers Alex Delgado, John VandenBerg and infielders Matt Erickson, Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy and Jeff Liefer.