Phillies Acquire Ty Wigginton, King of Subs, from Rockies

by WholeCamels on Nov 20, 2011 8:53 PM EST

The Phillies made a move to shore up their infield and outfield corners this evening, trading for Colorado Rockies' "super sub" Ty Wigginton. The Rockies will get cash or a player to be named later.

Wigginton is set to earn $4 million in 2012, with a $4 million option or a $500,000 buyout for 2013.

He's not particularly good, but he can play first base and third base, useful in light of Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco's health situations, as well as both outfield corners. How well can he play them? Not very well, it seems.

Wigginton, 34, is a poor man's Michael Cuddyer, with somewhat more positional flexibility and a significantly worse bat. But unlike Cuddyer, Wigginton isn't going to need a three-plus year contract to join the team.

The jury is out on the deal, but I like it to the extent that it could signal that the ship has sailed on Michael Cuddyer.

Wigginton's career line of .265/.325/.443 (good for an OPS+ of exactly 100) is not exactly inspiring, especially considering the .731 OPS he posted last season in Colorado, but at least the team has a credible bat to play at multiple positions, and at a low enough price that Ruben Amaro and the front office should have the flexibility to find themselves a quality shortstop. Also, Wigginton doesn't block Domonic Brown after next season.

Welcome, Ty.

Ty Wigginton

#21 / Third Base / Colorado Rockies

Height: 6-0

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Oct 11, 1977

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2011 - Ty Wigginton	130	401	52	97	21	2	15	47	38	84	8	1	.242	.315	.416

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Comments

I like it. Good bench bat, versatile, obviously cheap alternative to Cuddyer who probably gives about 65 percent of the value for maybe 20 percent of the total cost.

by dajafi on Nov 20, 2011 9:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I like it. I was never fond of the prospect of having to give Cuddyer a 3 year deal for mostly redudant production and the probability of blocking Brown.

by Domonate on Nov 20, 2011 9:37 PM EST reply actions

This is entire based off memory and no stats whatsoever, but I feel like he’s pretty good in the clutch. Could be entirely wrong.

by youaretheman26 on Nov 20, 2011 9:38 PM EST reply actions

Clutchness is not a sustainable skill. Ty Wigginton has been below average in high leverage situations. But again, there is no evidence this is a skill one does or does not possess.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Nov 20, 2011 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

Vince Young says what

Its all about da []_[]

by philiafan14364 on Nov 20, 2011 11:51 PM EST up reply actions

Depends how we use him. If he is a sub I like it a lot, if he is the front runner for the LF spot meaning Brown doesn’t get a look there in the spring it is stupid.

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Nov 20, 2011 9:51 PM EST reply actions

But how is Wigginton’s flickr?

Let’s start a pool: guess the PTBNL! I’m going with Jiwan James.

I will always over-value prospects and over-hype rookies. I can't help it.

"Follow me, as I ogle at some gigglesome prospect statistics." -bobbykelly, Silver Seven SB Nation Senators blog

by LeepinLizardz on Nov 20, 2011 9:51 PM EST reply actions

May lol

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Nov 20, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

…Brown.

Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.

by TheOrangeCone on Nov 20, 2011 10:19 PM EST up reply actions

My first thought, too.

shudder

by The Howling Fantods on Nov 20, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

I’m going with BJ.

by EJL on Nov 20, 2011 11:29 PM EST up reply actions

Aren’t PTBNLs usually recent draftees?

Shull…

Its all about da []_[]

by philiafan14364 on Nov 20, 2011 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

No. That sometimes happens, but not “usually” and not seven months before the date the player can be named.

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 12:07 AM EST up reply actions

Domingo Santana says hi.

I will always over-value prospects and over-hype rookies. I can't help it.

"Follow me, as I ogle at some gigglesome prospect statistics." -bobbykelly, Silver Seven SB Nation Senators blog

by LeepinLizardz on Nov 21, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Matt Rizzotti.

by Cormican on Nov 21, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions

wow. good call.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

Personally, I’m hoping for Cash. Norm, Dave, Johnny or Franklin.

by Phrozen on Nov 21, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

The jury is out on the deal, but I like it to the extent that it could signal that the ship has sailed on Michael Cuddyer.

I have a feeling that there are a lot of people in this camp myself included.

Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.

That is all.

by EREX21 on Nov 20, 2011 10:07 PM EST reply actions

I think Ty could be a good injury plug in as well. He’s certainly not a great player, but in the right role it isn’t a bad move.

Formerly... "You don't have to be sweet, to be good"

by Ed Van Chimp on Nov 20, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed, and he takes Mini Marts spot (we hope), so it should help the team.

Its all about da []_[]

by philiafan14364 on Nov 20, 2011 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

One would think, but if you assume Mayberry is gonna get the bulk of pt in LF, then who’s your backup CF?

I think Mini may end up ousting Valdez.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, but I think it has more to do with Bench costs. $4m in Ty, $1.25 in Thome, probably $1.25 for Schneider and the bench is getting kind of expensive. I think that gets Mr. Mini Mendoza another season.

by Cormican on Nov 21, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Wiggington is only costing 2mm Colorado is eating half his salary. but it’s the same point for sure.

This deal leaves about 20mm to play with to the lux tax, assuming Swartz projected raises for Hamels and pence.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

I forgot about that and the amount for Schneider that was announced.

They’ll likely stop ~$5mm short of the cap to leave flexibility for mid-season call-ups, trades, etc.

by Cormican on Nov 21, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Schneider’s deal was announced for 800k. Amaro said last week that he planned to bring Valdez and Francisco back. I think Orr is coming back, so personally I’d rather non-tender Valdez and let Orr and Mini-Mart fight it out for the bench spot.

by topherstarr on Nov 21, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

Orr is on a minor league contract again

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

If Victorino goes out of the game, you bring in a backup LF and shift Mayberry to CF

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

So you’re saying Wigginton LF and Mayberry CF?

I suppose we’ve seen worse defensive alignments, but…

by Rujasu on Nov 21, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

I think Francisco would probably be above Wigginton on the depth chart.

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

Well, maybe. Not that Ben Fran is a superb defender, but he is better than Ty. I’m sure Ty will be enough “fun” making starts at first and third. Maybe we’ll get to see an occasional defensive alignment featuring Thome at first and Ty at third.

by Rujasu on Nov 21, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Francisco is actually perfectly fine defensively, he just has an arm more suited to 1st base.

by Cormican on Nov 21, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Indeed. I was actually using understatement in my comment above. Of course Francisco would be used ahead of Wigginton if those are your two backup LF options. There’s no “maybe” about it.

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

Let me rephrase my point.

Of course Francisco is a better OF than Ty.

Maybe he is ahead of Ty on the depth chart, in Manuel’s mind.

Granted, that maybe is more of a probably. And Ruben did seem to downplay Ty in the OF. But still.

by Rujasu on Nov 21, 2011 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Fixed.

Francisco is actually perfectly fine defensively, he just has an arm more suited to 1st base coach.

by Phrozen on Nov 21, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

He actually had a positive arm rating last year according to Fangraphs. For his career it’s been negative but not by a ton.

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

See, there you go again with your stats-based nonsense. I watch the games, damnit!

by Phrozen on Nov 21, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

I would hope that Charlie will make every attempt to have as few defensive albatrosses in the field at one time as possible.

by Phrozen on Nov 21, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

Mayberry’s not a terrible centerfielder. He doesn’t have Victorino’s range, but he can still cover a lot of ground. Picture Jayson Werth in center; Mayberry’s about the same defensively, maybe a little bit less.

Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.

by TheOrangeCone on Nov 21, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

Well, he’s basically a butcher on defense. And his bat is not particularly good when you consider the positions he plays in the field.

If he stops Amaro from signing Cuddyer, that’s a good thing. But there’s something annoying about the fact that we are put in the position of celebrating the General Manager acquiring a mediocre player because it might prevent him from overpaying for a slightly above average player.

The Good Phight, NotGraphs, Twitter, fun!

by FuquaManuel on Nov 20, 2011 11:56 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I had logged on just now just to say, “This Guy Sucks.” But I hadn’t thought of the Cuddyer angle at first, which makes me feel better about it, even if maybe it shouldn’t.

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions

He sucks for a regular. I don’t think they’re planning on him getting more than 200-250 ABs, though, and for that he’ll be a major offensive upgrade from Exxon or Mini.

by dajafi on Nov 21, 2011 12:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

And a defensive downgrade. However, if he’s used correctly — mainly as an early-season 1B and later as a PH — he’s not such a bad pickup. $4MM is a lot for him, but in Phillies money that’s not a ton.

by Rujasu on Nov 21, 2011 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t know, I think RAJ actually deserves some credit for this move. If I understand the terms correctly the PTBNL or Cash only comes into play if they pick up the option. Meaning this was a salary dump deal.

2mm for 2012 is basically .5 WAR, and the alternative was likely a guy like Betamit or jerry Hairston (and I like Hairston better, but was he available for 2.5 mm for 1 year?)

Its low risk, high reward.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

13 position players

So now we’ve got

C – Ruiz, Schneider
1B – Howard (DL), Thome, Mayberry (also OF)
IF – Utley, Unknown SS, Polanco, Wigginton, Valdez/Martinez
OF – Mayberry, Victorino, Pence, Francisco

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 12:16 AM EST reply actions

I’d like to put Sizemore’s name on that outfield list. If he can get back to the old Grady Sizemore of ‘06-’08, what a pickup he’d be. It does look like the Indians are close to signing him again, though.

Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.

by TheOrangeCone on Nov 21, 2011 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

Sizemore is about to resign with Cleveland on a 1 year deal.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

I can’t see how they break camp without Dom Brown in that scenario. Thats a real RH heavy lineup/Bench.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

Nice, we solved our need for a RH bench bat!!!

by taco pal on Nov 21, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Several times!!

Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.

by TheOrangeCone on Nov 21, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

If theres one thing Raj is gonna do, its fix last years problems, even if theyre not this years problems…

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Better at baseball than Valdez/Martinez/Orr. Worse at baseball than Cuddyer, but significantly cheaper, and enough so to overcome the talent discrepancy to make Wigginton the better buy than Cuddyer. Very versatile defensively, though not particularly good anywhere.

Knowing that the Phillies need a human body to play 1B (not sold on Mayberry as everyday 1B and Thome has not played 1B regularly since 2005) as all reports about Howard seem to suggest he will miss at least a portion of the season, I’m okay with this. There is no long term commitment here and at worst, he is a replacement level player. Wigginton does not excite me by any stretch of the imagination, but this is better than overpaying Cuddyer and giving him a long-term commitment.

That Cuddyer is being brought up in this conversation and trading for Ty Wigginton is being considered a relief is why I want Amaro out of the Phillies’ Front Office.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Nov 21, 2011 3:28 AM EST reply actions

Welcome back RAUL!

For those who, like me, saw the Raul Comparisons immediately, Here’s what Ty did in 2011:

April1 May 18 (25 games) .224/.286/.335 2 HR 11RBI 5BB 18K’s

May 19-June 20 (28 Games) .300/.358/.560 5HR 13 RBI 7BB 17 K’s

June 21-July 21 (27 games) .220/.283/.440 6HR 14 RBI 8BB 17K

July 21-Aug 21 (27 Games) .271/.363/.362 1HR 6RBI 11BB 13 K’s

Aug 24 – sept 28 (25 Games) .185/.274/292 1HR 3 RBI 7K 19BB

He lost all his power in the 2nd half. 2HR after the break. But he was basically a cheaper, lest defensively adept RH version of Raul, in more ways than one.

I can’t wait to call his streaks in 2012.

"Sometimes, the balls that fall in are jam shots"...Hunter Pence, on BABIP

by Joecatz on Nov 21, 2011 6:49 AM EST reply actions