Associated Press 18y

Marlins sign infielder Helms, catcher Olivo

MLB, Florida Marlins

MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins signed infielder Wes Helms and
catcher Miguel Olivo to one-year contracts Friday.

The 29-year-old Helms, who gets $800,000 and the chance to earn
$200,000 in performance bonuses, hit .298 with four home runs and
24 RBI in 95 games last season with the Milwaukee Brewers. He
batted .381 as a pinch hitter, with 16 hits in 42 at-bats.

Helms was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round of
the 1994 draft, and has hit .257 with 48 home runs and 179 RBI
over seven seasons with the Braves and Brewers.

The 27-year-old Olivo split last season between the Seattle
Mariners and San Diego Padres. He began the year with the Mariners
and batted .151 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 54 games, and
hit .233 with three homer and 21 RBI in 24 games with Triple-A
Tacoma.

Olivo was traded to the Padres on July 30 for catcher Miguel Ojeda and pitcher Natanael Mateo, and batted .304 with four home
runs and 16 RBI in 37 games with San Diego. Originally signed by
the Oakland Athletics as a non-drafted free agent in 1996, he has
hit .229 with 29 home runs and 106 RBI over four seasons with the
White Sox, Mariners and Padres.

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