MIAMI -- Bringing in Wes Helms gives the Marlins a veteran presence off the bench, as well as spot starter candidate at first base and third.

The Marlins acquired Helms and cash from the Phillies on Saturday night for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

A resident of Hoover, Ala., Helms flew in from Birmingham on Sunday morning, and the team anticipated him in uniform for the series finale with the Pirates at Dolphin Stadium.

Designated for assignment by the Phillies last Wednesday, Helms will assume a role similar to when he was with the Marlins in 2006. That year, Helms batted .329 in 140 games and 240 at-bats. He appeared at first base, frequently as a late-inning defensive replacement for the left-handed-hitting Mike Jacobs.

In '06, Helms played first base in 88 games, taking third duties in 24 games.

Before adding Helms, manager Fredi Gonzalez was sometimes switching third baseman Jorge Cantu to first base in the late innings. Now, Helms will be the primary choice.

"It depends on the way the game goes," Gonzalez said. "If you use Helms early [as a pinch-hitter], you can put Cantu there [at first base]. I guess if he hadn't been used, then Helms would be your first choice as the first baseman off the bench."

The Marlins are leaning toward avoiding a platoon situation at first base. Jacobs belted a grand slam off left-hander Paul Maholm on Saturday night, and last year he hit .290 (31-for-107) off southpaws with five homers and 13 RBIs. Against right-handers, he hit .257 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs in 319 at-bats.

"He's proven that last year," Gonzalez said of Jacobs facing southpaws. "There are a couple of lefties in the league that give him headaches, but there are a lot of right-handers who give right-handers headaches.

"We're going to be aware of that. But for the most part, he handles left-handed pitching. If you've got a tough left-hander coming up, and the guy is pretty tough on Jacobs or left-handers, period, that's where you've got Helms off the bench to give him a spell."

Jacobs says if given the opportunities, he will perform off lefty pitching.

"The biggest thing for me is to be in there," Jacobs said. "If I'm in there against them, the more at-bats I get off them, the more I'm going to be able to see hit off of them. Luckily he's kept me in there the whole time."

With such a young roster, veteran Luis Gonzalez welcomes the addition of Helms.

"It's always nice to have veteran guys off the bench, it gives the manager more options," he said. "Wes has been playing for a long time. He's a professional player. Hopefully it carries over and helps our ball club."

Catcher Matt Treanor, a teammate of Helms in '06, says his presence will be felt on the field. But Treanor noted that in terms of being a local leader, that 40-year-old Gonzalez is handling that role.

"I know he will definitely be a welcomed addition," Treanor said of Helms. "He is another veteran person that the guys can look to. I don't know if guys are looking for vocal leaders. Gonzo does a great job of showing by example. It's cut and dry with him. When you see 18 years in the big leagues, that has got a lot of clout to it. We've got what we need as far as an uncle. I call him uncle Gonzo."