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.
