The non-tendered Ty Wigginton

December 14, 2008 by Benjamin Kabak 100 Comments

One of the more intriguing non-tendered free agents is Ty Wigginton. The 2008 Astros’ starting third base, Wigginton wasn’t invited back by a Houston team set to save money. He can hit for a bit of power and play first and third base and left and right field. He would, in other words, be the ideal utility man for a Yankee team with a weak bench right now. Of course, Wigginton can probably get a better offer and more playing time from the Twins or Indians, but I certainly think the Yanks should give him a call and see if he’s interested in New York.

E-ROC

Ty Wigginton will probably play for the Indians or Twins because he might be starting in those spots. Also, he stats were largely due to playing at Minute Maid Park. He could be a great platoon partner with Miranda though.
Alan

I wouldn’t mind having him come off the bench, he’s extremely versatile. However, I expect he’ll wind up in Minnesota.
zs190

he has played 120 games at 2B too, that said, he’s 30 and has a career 105 OPS+, in other words, surely there’s a starting gig somewhere for him, I don’t think he would sign up to be a utility guy for us.
Rafi

How’s his defense at second? IIRC, he’s sub par defensively just about everywhere he plays, no?
He made $4.35 MM last year, so as much as I like him as a player, I don’t think he’s going to be worth what he’ll get from someone els
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

He’s a rich man’s Wilson Betemit. I’d take him, but yeah, I’m not holding my breath on him forgoing more years and dollars elsewhere just to take a utility spot here.

L-Damon-DH
R-Jeter-SS
R-ARod-3B
R-Manny-LF
S-Posada-C
L-Cano-2B
R-Nady-RF
S-Swisher-1B
R-Cameron-CF
- Steve
  
  Manny LF and Damon DH?
  
  Are you trying to kill me?
  - Mike Pop
    
    Who cares, that lineup is the best..
    - Steve
      
      You what else that lineup is? Very, very OLD. Six of the 9 guys in that lineup are 34-38.
      - Mike Pop
        
        Built to win
        
        Steve
        
        The race to the DL.
        
        Mike Pop
        
        Ok negative nancy
        
        Steve
        
        Hey! How dare you call me Nancy!
        
        I prefer Stephanie!
        
        Jorge Steinbrenner
        
        that’s a fantastic video game lineup.
      - Alan
        
        We’re the SF Giants of the AL!!!11!1!!11!1!1!!!!1!
        
        A.D.
        
        Except the Giants can’t hit
  - Alan
    
    I’d rather have Damon at DH than Matsui, that poor guy got old REAL quick. Also, Swisher at the bottom of the lineup looks real nice for Cameron or Damon to drive him in.
    - Steve
      
      Matsui was playing on a bad knee each of the past two seasons. That will make you look old. Lets see how he does this year, I still think he has something left.
      - Ryan S.
        
        I really hope he does. When Matsui is healthy, he’s a beast.
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  Why would you bat Swisher behind Cano & Nady? The man is an on base machine with pop. I would bat him behind Jorge. Ideally, you want your high OBP guys batting higher in the order. I know you don’t construct the order in terms of descending OBP, but I want Swisher batting higher than 8th.
Mike Pop

I dont get why Houston didnt give him a contract and trade him quick.. There has to be a little bit of a market for this guy to get a decent prospect or two.. But maybe they tried and they could not get anything done
Ryan S.

Shouldn’t we be more concerned about getting a utility bench player that can provide quality defense for the middle infield and lay down a bunt if we need him to?
- Mike Pop
  
  I want guys with pop on my bench
  - Steve
    
    Mike Pop wants guys with pop.
    
    Go figure.
    - Mike Pop
      
      Hey Id rather have a Hinske on my bench than a Cairo ya know…Scutaro would be ideal.. Not saying we should trade for him but hes a great utility guy
  - Ryan S.
    
    Decent chance of having either Matsui or Posada available in a lot of situations. Cody Ransom has some pop too.
Steve

With all the talk about CC and King Felix in 3 years around here, it got me wondering. Who do you think will be managing the Yanks in 2011? Girardi? Mattingly? A freshly retired Derek Jeter? (with Posada as his bench coach, of course)
- E-ROC
  
  Nope. Jeter will be the owner while Posada will be the GM. Remember last off-season, Posada said publicly the Yanks need an ace like Santana. He already showed he would be the best available GM.
  - Steve H
    
    Posada also said Joba should be in the pen, so I don’t want him having anything to do with running the club.
    - Steve
      
      That’s why he’s the bench coach. He flies off the handle, talks crazy shit and Jeter sits there and tries not to laugh.
      
      He’s like a latter day Don Zimmer.
Pete Law

Any thoughts on who will be DFA’d once we re-sign Pettitte?

Shelley Duncan looks next to get the axe…unless we completely give up on Chase Wright. But seriously look at the 40-man and tell me who the least likely to contribute to 2009 is. Unfortunately I believe its Shelley.
- Steve
  
  Yeah, we discussed this in another thread. Most feel it will be Shelly next, and Steven Jackson if we sign/trade for someone else.
- http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
  
  I wish Shelley had been traded after the 2007 season.
  - steve (different one)
    
    no one was going to give up anything of value for Shelly Duncan.
Ryan S.

Can we get Ron Gardenhire?
- Steve
  
  Very good manager, but more suited for a small market, young team.
  - Ryan S.
    
    No team plays small ball better than the Twins. It killed me watching last year as we were consistently unable to manufacture runs.
    - Steve
      
      They were also one of the top teams in all of baseball with RISP last season. Very efficient group, they got a lot out of a middling lineup and average rotation.
      - Ryan S.
        
        Which was another glaring deficiency of the Yanks last year. They also lost Santana but still won 9 more games than they did in ’07.
        
        Steve
        
        Which makes the Santana deal look even worse. Think they win another 4-5 games with Johan over their 5th starter? That’s a playoff berth, a chance at a WS title and millions of extra revenue that they lost.
        
        Plus, the only starter they got out of the deal was Gomez, and with Denard Span on the team they could have stuck him in CF and put Cuddyer in RF and been a better team.
        
        Ryan S.
        
        Hah, so true. With Johan they’re a true contender, all other things being the same from last year. Obviously Johan is going to be a bigger difference maker than Gomez. Denard Span would’ve been able to make a difference for a longer amount of time too, he only played 93 games last year, which you’d think further offsets the difference.
- Sweet Dick Willie
  
  Can we get Ron Gardenhire?
  
  Most fans don’t like the manager of their team. Go to aarongleeman.com to see what Twins fans think of Gardy. Go to bostondirtdogs and you’ll see Red Sox fans killing Tito. I was at a party in South Jersey in June talking with some Phillies fans who agreed that the Phillies had a shot if they fired Manuel.
  
  I don’t know why, but most fans seem to want somebody other than the incumbent to be managing their team.
Tripp

Yanks need speed off the bench.

Bring back Justin Christian and Bernie Castro!
- Ryan S.
  
  I keep forgetting to “reply’ when I post. Please see my post below.
Ryan S.

I’m guessing we’re trading Melky for Cameron and using Gardner as our 4th outfielder / pinch runner. Gardner is a speed demon, we’re totally fine in that area as is.
- Steve
  
  Maybe to start the season, but I suspect Girardi will have Gardner playing 5 days a week by mid season. He adds an element that the Yanks lack in the field and on the basepaths.
  - Ryan S.
    
    Pending any rumbling about Manny Ramirez or Teixeria becoming true (which would totally blow my mind and I’d have to reassess the team), I think you might be right. If Cameron doesn’t come over, Gardner is the starting day CF, and if he does come over, a domino effect might happen of Gardner taking over a corner, Damon taking over DH, and Matsui going on the bench.
    
    He’s got a great OBP in the minors and he’s the fastest player on the team by a large margin. Perfect leadoff hitter if he can live up to his absolute peak.
    - Ryan S.
      
      *peak potential
    - Steve
      
      It will take a lot for him to lead off with Damon on the team. I don’t see that happening. #9 hitter getting on base for Damon-Jeter-A-Rod sounds more like it.
      - Ryan S.
        
        You’re probably right (but if Gardner shows consistency this year, that could possibly be his spot in 2010).
        
        As for A-Rod batting 3rd…that’s a tough decision. A-Rod is very suitable as either your 3rd or 4th hitter, no doubt. Its more about the context of the lineup you surround him with. Who bats behind or in front of him?
        
        Steve
        
        I didn’t mean to put A-Rod 3rd, its just that we don’t have a real #3 right now. I just didn’t want to leave him out.
    - radnom
      
      If Cameron doesn’t come over, Gardner is the starting day CF, and if he does come over, a domino effect might happen of Gardner taking over a corner, Damon taking over DH, and Matsui going on the bench.
      
      You Gardner lovers can be so irrational.
      
      Matsui is a real player.
      He can hit.
      You know who isnt really?
      Gardner.
      There is no way Gardner hits enough to send Matsui to the bench, barring injuries to Matsui.
      The fact that someone thinks this is a possibility BLOWS MY MIND.
LeftyLarry

My line-up

CF- Gardner- Steals 50 bases and is the sparkplug we’ve long needed.
SS- Jeter- Knocks in 90 with GArdner in front.
DH/LF-Damon- hits .300 and has 20-25 HR’s, better than Abreu there.
3b- Arod- I’d rather bat ihm 5th but he’d sulk all season.
1b- Texiera- MVP season
Dh/LF- MAtsui- Assume he’s 100% healthy
RF- Nadi- whatever
2b-Cano- let him start hitting .300 again and I’ll move him up to 6th
C- Posada- Assume he’s 100%, rather a faster runner here but Pitchers batted 9th for a century.

W.S. line up with C.C. Wang and Burnett IMO.
- Steve
  
  Gardner’s leading off and Posada’s batting 9th? Also, you’re doubling up Tex-Matsui and Cano-Posada vs Righties
  
  Back to the drawing board.
  - Ryan S.
    
    Tex and Posada are switch hitters…am I missing something? What’s the problem?
    - Steve
      
      Exactly. You try to split up your righties and lefties for your everyday lineup, and against Right handers (which is most of the time) you would doubling up the lefties Cano-Posada and Matsui-Tex, and doing so unnecessarily.
      
      Here’s how it would work
      
      DH/LF-Damon
      SS- Jeter
      1b- Texiera
      3b- Arod
      Dh/LF- Matsui
      RF- Nady
      2b-Cano
      C- Posada
      CF- Gardner
      
      Since you face lefties far less often, this is your everyday lineup.
      - Sweet Dick Willie
        
        You try to split up your righties and lefties for your everyday lineup,
        
        And why do you do that? To prevent giving the opposing manager the opportunity to bring in a tough LOOGY to face your three lefties in a row. But if you have LSL, then the LOOGY faces a lefty, but the switch hitter turns around and bats righty, thus negating the advantage.
        
        According to your logic, you theoretically would never want 9 switch hitters in the line up because they would not be alternating. Well, not unless Pat Venditte was pitching.
      - Old Ranger
        
        I like this one also. 27/09.
  - steve (different one)
    
    why would you give the worst hitter in the lineup the most ABs? makes no sense.
    
    also, where is Swisher?
- Reggie C.
  
  Last i heard, the Cameron acquisition was still going forward. It looks like Cameron will be the starting CF next year. I think any lineup has got to include Cameron’s likely presence.
  
  This is the lineup I hope to field:
  LF – Swisher
  SS – Jeter
  DH- J.D. (15-20 HRs more likely. If swisher rebounds then he’s a good #3 too)
  3B – Alex Rodriguez
  1B – Teixeiera
  RF – Nady
  2B – Cano
  CF – Cameron
  C – Posada
- Old Ranger
  
  I’d buy into that. 27/09.
http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

I think Wiggington can fill the role we thought Morgan Ensberg would last year.
- Ryan S.
  
  Why not give Cody Ransom a chance, and then save a few million bucks and a roster spot?
  - Steve H
    
    Because Cody Ransom will be 33 on opening day and has 183 career at bats. There is a reason for that. He sucks. He’s older than Burnett. He strikes out a ton and does not walk, against Minor League pitching. He sucks.
- Steve
  
  The “Off the team by May 15th” role?
  - http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
    
    no, as in “lefty-crusher and super-utility guy” role
mayo man

“Ideal utility man?”

The ideal utility man is nothing like Ty Wigginton.
The ideal utility man can play short, second and third. He doesn’t home runs but he makes contact. He can handle the bat. He can bunt. Hopefully he can run a little. The Yankees have not an “ideal utility man” since Luis Sojo. They also haven’t won since they had Sojo. It really reflects poorly on the organization that they see this position as so unimportant. If Jeter or Cano get hurt — look out. And I don’t think Ty Wigginton would help much.
- steve (different one)
  
  The Yankees have not an “ideal utility man” since Luis Sojo. They also haven’t won since they had Sojo.
  
  this is hilarious. are you implying that the Yankees haven’t won the WS because of a lack of Luis Sojo?
  
  also, how was Miguel Cairo not exactly like Sojo?
dkidd

in morgan ensberg’s defense, he wrote a hilarious piece about getting booed for phil hughes’ blog
mayo man

And what is the fascination with Steven Jackson? This guy ls a career micrity. Justin Christianwas much more valuable guy. I certainly hope Jackson is next to go (after Igawa, that is)
- steve (different one)
  
  Igawa is not on the 40 man. he’s irrelevant to this discussion.
dkidd

advantage to signing scutaro:

it negates the inevitable game-winning home run he will hit against us at some point next year
- Jorge Steinbrenner
  
  absolutely true.
  
  also, my mother-in-law loves Marco Scutaro for no reason whatsoever. it would increase the comedic factor when i go visit.
- Mike Pop
  
  Scutaro is not a FA
Jorge Steinbrenner

For god’s sake, no Mike Cameron.

I find it really strange to talk to Met fans about Mike Cameron. They get all these stars in their eyes. It’s like you’re showing them naked pictures of Jessica Biel.

I’m prepared to go into 2009 with a cheaper, younger stopgap than Mike Cameron in CF. Sure, I’d like to win it all. I also realize this team is as much a team in transition this year as it was last year. If you disagree with that, try to answer this question: what IS the 2010 Yankee outfield?

There’s a few non-tender guys I’d like to potentially see either on our bench or at spring training. Wiggington is definitely one. I’d love for Johnny Gomes and Joey Gathright to get a look too. Yes, they are both guys who never lived up to their potential. They’re also guys who do one or two things well and would potentially make better complementary parts than what we have now.

Singing Andy Pettite is a necessity to me right now. I would LOVE to give Phil Hughes the #5 shot and let him sink or swim. I also know that a 3-4-5 of Burnett, Joba, and Hughes potentially means you’ve got Sidney Ponson on speed dial. You need a guy in the back of the rotation who’s going to give you 180 innings right now to avoid that.
- Steve
  
  Hughes can’t be the #5, he’s on an innings limit and so is Joba. You can’t skip both of them once a month. Aceves would have the inside track if all things are equal.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
    
    Hughes’ career high in innings is 146. So his innings limit is, in effect, just under 180 this season if he stays healthy. That’s not really much of a limit for a fifth starter.
    - Steve
      
      That was 2006. He had 111 in 2007 and 100 in 2008 (including winter ball).
      
      The point of innings limits is they don’t like to have them jump more than 30-40 innings in any season at his age. That would put him at 140 for the 2009 season.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
        
        That’s not how it works. It’s to avoid the jump if they’ve never thrown that many innings before. Hughes could throw more than 140 innings this year if the Yanks need and want him to.
        
        Steve
        
        Sorry, but if you think Hughes is going to be allowed to throw 180 innings this season then we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one. Especially given his health history.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
        
        If his health concerns were focused on arm and shoulder-related injuries, I’d agree, but they weren’t. We’ll just have to see how this plays out.
- Ryan S.
  
  I can’t imagine Pettitte not signing with us, but I agree, we need the guy as a fairly dependable innings eater, and to have him contribute to the opening chapter of the New Yankee Stadium.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
    
    No.
    
    If you want Pettitte as an innings eater, fine. But there’s zero reason to sign him for some nostalgia excuse of opening the new stadium if he’s not going to help the team.
    - Ryan S.
      
      All things considered equal, I’d rather have Pettitte as an innings eater than some random player who fulfills that same need. Who wouldn’t? Of course if he can’t contribute to the team I wouldn’t want him on it, but the fact that he brings some additional historical value is a nice bonus considering he is still capable of being a #4 starter.
    - Sweet Dick Willie
      
      If Pettitte want to accept Cashman’s offer fine. If not, I would advocate a competition for the 5th spot between Hughes, IPK and Aceves. If Hughes wins, IPK becomes the long man and Aceves goes to AAA. If IPK wins, Aceves becomes the long man and Hughes goes to AAA, and if Aceves wins, IPK becomes the long man and Hughes goes to AAA.
      
      At some point, we have to find out what we have, and I think this is a good opportunity to do so.
- steve (different one)
  
  what does Gathright offer that Gardner doesn’t?
  
  the 2009 Yankees are not a transition team.
  
  yes, their OF is only a little above average, but they might have the best pitching staff from top to bottom in the league.
  
  but because they don’t have a 950 run offense, it’s a transition year?
  
  give me a break.
  
  they are going to pitch very well, catch the ball fairly well, and score about 825-850 runs.
  
  right now, with Pettitte and Cameron, i’d call them one of the 5 best teams in baseball.
E-ROC

Ben, what’s your opinion of Aaron Miles as a possible utility man for the Yanks?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  I’m not quite sure why utility man has to be code for below-average hitters. When the Yanks were winning the World Series, that had top offensive producers on their bench. Aaron Miles does nothing for me.
  - steve (different one)
    
    the Yankees haven’t won a WS since Luis Sojo? coincidence?
    - Sweet Dick Willie
      
      They also haven’t won one since Clay Bellinger. What’s the point?
Steve

MLBTR

“King suggests Jermaine Dye is another option; however, Dye has the Yankees listed as one of six teams he would veto a trade to.”

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/yankees-pursuin.html

I guess George King III can head back to the drawing board . . . .
Ivan

Nice article here:

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fname%3dolney_buster
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  Don’t ruin our next post.
  - Ivan
    
    my bad.
- Steve
  
  I love Buster. Here’s a few good pieces
  
  “So the Yankees, in the end, were patient and got Sabathia, and the pundits who are saying that the team has blown up its plan for player development are simply not paying attention. In fact, the signings of Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are absolutely in keeping with the refocus on the farm system.
  
  Because the Yankees waited to pursue Sabathia, rather than deal for Santana, they still have Hughes and Ian Kennedy and Austin Jackson and all the players mentioned in the Santana talks, and as the pitching talent pool has increased at the major league level, there is now more time for those youngsters to develop. It’s actually been more than a decade since the Yankees have had as much minor league talent stacked up as they do now.”
  
  and here
  
  “Marlins president David Samson ripped the Yankees this week for what he portrayed as wild spending, but apparently he doesn’t realize that the team’s payroll is going to go down by around 10 percent. The Yankees had about $85 million in expiring contracts, and so far, they’ve spent $23 million, for 2009, on Sabathia, and $15 million on Burnett, and they’ll spend on another veteran pitcher and probably acquire Mike Cameron; it’s possible that the Yankees’ payroll for next season will be about $180 million to $190 million. ”
  
  Bingo.
  - Ryan S.
    
    Buster lays it down as always. Its nice that at least one person at ESPN actually pays enough attention to the Yankees organization and its philosophy to be able to accurately write about them. I read an article by Madden talking about how if we had traded for Johan last year, we wouldn’t have had to worry about CC’s contract last year and and I was dumbfounded. He was somehow trying to imply that trading away top prospects AND offering a record breaking pitching contract was somehow the better move than just offering a record breaking pitching contract. And Lupica had a retarded rant/article that Buster posted a link to. Its just funny sometimes how wrong these guys can be … it just makes Buster look more like the fair and balanced baseball journalist that he truly is.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
      
      Madden’s an idiot. That article of his made it sound as though Johan Santana would have pitched for free for the Yanks.
      - Ryan S.
        
        I feel more stupid just trying to paraphrase his ridiculous argument.
mayo man

A Florida Marlins owner criticising the NY Yankees for the way the spend money? What a joke. Let him poll Marlins fans (probably not too many left) on how they feel abut their tight wad owners sucking every dollar out of the franchise.
mike

What about going after a guy like Chris Burke instead of Wiggy. Burke has skills and is just as versatile. Would not be a bad move all.

Or we get some speed in Tavarez or Gathwright…

Some arms that sound interesting:
Cabrera, Saito or Joe Nelson

Wiggy will be wanted by team like Mets, Minn, TB…
- Mike Pop
  
  Id go after Saito only of the guys you mentioned.. Well maybe Burke but Id prefer Wiggy even though its not going to happen