Yankees Trade Target 2010: Ty Wigginton

Ty Wigginton, INF/OF Baltimore Orioles
2010 season: 74 G, .254/.338/.458, 14 HR, 42 RBI

When any baseball fan hears the name Ty Wigginton, they think one word: versatility. A 17th round draft pick in the 1998 draft by the New York Mets out of UNC Asheville, "Wiggy" has had a very solid major league career. Wiggy made his major league debut in 2002 for the Mets at age 25, posting a line of .302/.354/.526 with 6 HR, and 18 RBI in 116 AB, making his future look bright. Wiggy started at third base for the Mets for the 2003 season, and while he struggled early, finished with a .255 average with 11 HR and 71 RBI in 156 games. However, he struck out 124 times, a career high for Wiggy. The following season, Wiggy started 2004 on a tear. Wigginton hit .285/.334/.487 to go with 12 HR and 23 doubles with 42 RBI through his first 312 at-bats. His hot streak made his stock higher, and the Mets traded Wigginton on June 30, 2004 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a six-player trade for RHP Kris Benson. The trade of Wigginton opened the door for current Mets' third baseman and All-Star, David Wright. For the rest of 2004, Wiggy would cool down, finishing at .266 with just 17 HR, after hitting 12 in his first 312 AB, with 66 RBI. Wigginton was again the starting third baseman for the Pirates in 2005, but, after early struggles, was demoted to the Minor League Triple-AAA team. Wiggy was recalled on August 22, 2005. Despite going on a tear, hitting .365 the final few weeks of the season, the Pirates released Wiggy at the end of the season.

On January 10, 2006 Wiggy signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. 2006 would prove to be the San Diego native's best season, as he batted .275 with 24 HR, a career high, and 79 RBI, also a career high, in 122 games. It would also be the first year that fans would get to see the versatility that is Ty Wigginton. In 2006, Wiggy spent time at first base, second base, third base, and the outfield. His breakout 2006 prompted Tampa to sign him for the 2007 season. Wiggy, 30 at the time, started for the Devil Rays in 98 games, hitting .275 with 16 HR and 49 RBI before being traded to the Houston Astros for RHP Dan Wheeler on July 28, 2007. For the Astros, Wiggy hit .284 with 6 HR and 18 RBI in 50 games as the starting third baseman after Houston designated Morgan Ensberg for assignment. Wiggy finished 2007 at .278 with 22 HR and 67 RBI. Houston would sign Wiggy to another contract at the end of the season, as he would again be the Astros' starting third baseman. However, in August, after LF Carlos Lee broke a finger, Wiggy made a majority of his starts for the season in left field. Wiggy made Astros feel as though Lee was still on the team, posting a .379 BA after Lee's injury. He finished the season hitting .285, a career high, with 23 HR and 58 RBI while playing in 111 games in the infield and outfield. Despite his strong 2008, the Astros did not tender Wiggy a contract, making him a free agent. This upset many Astros' fans.

On February 10, 2009 Wiggy signed two-year for $7 million. In 2009, Wiggy had major drop-offs in home runs and runs batted in, despite playing in 11 more games. He finished 2009 at .273 with 11 HR and 41 RBI. 2010 however, has been a different story. Named a bench player for 2010, Wiggy came into spring training with low expectations since not being named a starter. However, Roberts missed much of spring training with a herniated disk in his back. Regardless, Roberts started the season as Baltimore's starting 2B, before being put on the 15-day DL with a abdominal strain stealing second base. After being placed on the DL, Wiggy became the starting 2B for the O's. Suffice to say, Wiggy has surpassed expectations. Through the first 60 games of this season, Wiggy hit .272 with 13 HR. He currently has 14 HR in his first 264 AB, his third highest career home run rate per at bat ratio in his career, hitting a home run every 18.8 at bats this season, since hitting a home run every 16.7 at bats in 2008 with Houston. Currently, Wiggy's hitting .254/.338/.458, 14 HR, 42 RBI through 74 games at second base, short stop, third base, and the outfield. Wiggy's strong season, as well as his versatility, along with Baltimore's league worst record at 24-55 and doomed last-place finish, has prompted the Orioles to make him available in trade.

Yesterday, via MLBTradeRumors, we heard that the Yankees are interested in acquiring Wiggy. Today we heard that the Yankees want to solidify their bench. A trade for Wigginton would be the best way to improve the bench. The current Yankees' bench consists of all home-grown inexperienced players in Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Chad Huffman, and Colin Curtis. The Yankees are still waiting for Marcus Thames to return from injury. Not a very threatening or powerful bench for Joe Girardi to use. If Wigginton, 32, were acquired, he could play all the positions to give the starters days off, and wouldn't be a typical 0-3 bench player. He's had a strong 2010 season, so he'd be treated like a starting player. Doug Rush over at The Bleacher Report, says that "The Yankees need a guy who can play multiple positions and be able to give guys like Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez days off when needed. Wigginton can play all of the infield positions, the DH, and even the outfield if needed."

However, the one issue with acquiring Wigginton is Baltimore's demand: one young shortstop. From The Beacher Report: "Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports called the demand by Baltimore a self-defeating one because any team like the Yankees would be unlikely to deal away a young shortstop to rent Wigginton for a few months." Wiggy is making $3.5 million this season, and is a free agent to-be at the end of the season. No team would want to give up a young shortstop for a guy who will be a bench player on a contending team. Baltimore would most likely ask for top shortstop prospect Eduardo Nunez, 23, who is enjoying a break-out season at Triple-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .312 with 3 HR and 39 RBI in 81 games. If not Nunez, than Baltimore would most likely ask for Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo or minor league SS Reegie Corona. Corona, who was left unprotected in the 2008 Rule-5 Draft and was chosen and returned to the Yankees by the Seattle Mariners, is hitting .231 with 5 HR and 20 RBI, along with 11 stolen bases in 81 games. He's currently on the 40-man roster, meaning if traded, the Yankees would have a spot for Wigginton on the 40-man without releasing any other player. I don't think that the Yankees would be willing to part with a prospect of Nunez's caliber for a rental of Wigginton. While Wiggy isn't a great defensive player, "Wigginton makes up for it as a much better and stronger hitter who can produce runs" says the Bleacher Report. If I'm Brian Cashman, I'm only giving up minimal prospects for Wiggy. A realistic trade could be one that consists of Corona and maybe Double-AA shortstop Luis Nunez. If that's what I can get away with giving up, then I'm making the trade for Wiggy.

The Yankees could use Wiggy anywhere on the field. One idea I had was to make Wiggy the alternating third baseman with Alex Rodriguez. This would push A-Rod to the DH role on some days in order to rest his ailing hip, and would allow Wiggy, and his crazy 2010 season, to start and help the team's dreadful offense of late. Therefore, New York would have both A-Rod's and Wiggy's bats in the lineup. On the other hand, the Yankees could use Wiggy on the bench, which is what has been seen as their mindset. I think having Wiggy start would be a much better idea due to his strong season so far. I think he's deserved the right to start and alternating DH and 3B with A-Rod would be a great way. As well, the Yankees bench would drastically increase by having Wiggy. By September, the Yankees bench would consist of Wigginton, Nick Johnson, Thames, Cervelli, and possibly Colin Curtis if the Yankees decide to use Wiggy as a starter. Having Wiggy in the lineup would really increase and hopefully wake up the Yankees' offense. I'm not saying Wiggy is Albert Pujols, but all I'm saying is that he's having a great season and it would help the offense.

If I'm the Yankees, and it seems as though they already have, I'd be on the phone right now with the Orioles trying to work out a trade for Wiggy. Wiggy would be a great addition to an already strong Yankees team, and would help the bench become stronger and the offense become slightly better. It seems as though a deal could be reached soon.

Brian Cashman, Yankees GM: "The bench is the area of priority as of right now," Cashman said. "That doesn't mean we're not open to anything else. But if you ask me what's the priority? What's the area of weakness? It's the bench."

The Yankees, Cliff Lee & Roy Oswalt

What do the Yankees, Cliff Lee & Roy Oswalt all have in common?

I'll give you a hint:
- The richest organization in sports, dedicated to winning.
- 2008 Cy Young award winner, dominated Yankees in the World Series, has a 2.88 ERA in 2010.
- Ace of the Houston Astros, back to back 20 game winner, requesting a trade to a contender.

Give up?

All three have been linked this year in trade rumors.

We'll begin with Roy Oswalt, the Houston Astros ace who this year requested to be traded. Oswalt won 20 games back to back in 2005 and 2005 and led the Astros to the '05 World Series. Often looked at as one of the game's most underrated pitchers, the righty Oswalt has not recieved much publicity due to the poor play of the Houston Astros throughout his career. After recent losing seasons, Oswalt has become fed up with losing and requested a trade this year to a contender. The usual suspects have been thrown out: the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies and Angels. However, the only team with enough money to afford Oswalt is the Evil Empire that is the New York Yankees. Oswalt, 32, is making $15 million this season and has an option of $16 million for 2011 which his club can decline or pick up depending on how he pitches. Perhaps the one deciding issue here besides the money is Oswalt's age. 32 is beyond the prime of a pitcher's career. It is at this time that a pitcher begins to break down and lose speed and effectiveness of his pitches. The other factor: Oswalt has pitched in the weak National League Central his entire career. Why is this a problem? The NL has always been described as the weaker of the two leagues, seeing as pitchers technically only face seven batters, the eighth being the weakest position player and the ninth being the pitcher's spot. Many wonder how a NL pitcher could transfer to the American League, especially in this case, perhaps baseball's strongest division, the AL East. Having the face the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Rays most of the time could be a challenge.

Is there a chance Oswalt comes to New York by July 31st? Yes, of course, but is it likely? No. I think Oswalt will end up in New York, but with the Mets. First of all, he's 4-8 this year wit ha 3.16 ERA. Oswalt's been quoted as saying he wants to play here but I highly doubt that the Yankees would be willing to take on Oswalt's $15 million this year and next year when they already have a sturdy 5 man rotation. I only see this happening if they trade Javier Vazquez, which is unlikely, seeing how well he has pitched lately (5-2, 2.93). As well, it appears as though the Astros are reluctant to trade Oswalt and would require a "King's ransom" to trade him. Yankee fans know what this means: Jesus Montero. The Astros would most likely ask for a package around the #4 best prospect in baseball to which the Yankees would bluff. I doubt that Yankees would make this trade, especially with our other pitcher in this discussion...

Enter the lefty, Cliff Lee.

Since being traded to the Seattle Mariners this off season in the 3-team trade that sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia, Lee, 31, has done nothing but dominate. This year the free-agent-to-be is 4-3 with a 2.88 ERA for a terrible Mariners team. After dominating the Yankees for the Phillies in last year's fall classic, you can't think that the Yanks didn't take notice. This week, the Yankees have been reported as connected to the 2008 Cy Young award winning Lee, and it seems as though they would like to trade for him. Like Oswalt, the usual suspects: the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies and Angels have been linked. The Mariners, reportedly, have been scouting the Yankees farm system in order to try to build a package that they would want for Lee. The package reportedly would include SS Eduardo Nunez as well as either of the catching prospects Jesus Montero or Austin Romine. In order for this to happen the Yankees would have to be assured that they get at least a 72 hour window to try to sign Lee to an extension before free agency.

But the question has been asked: Why would the Yankees trade top prospects for Lee when he is a free agent come this fall and can be had for money and sacrificing the future? Lee has been quoted as saying that he wants to test free agency, and c'mon, he knows the Yanks would offer him the most cash. So why would the Yankees trade top prospects for him and then lose him as a free agent rather than sign him? It makes no sense whatsoever. Apparently though, the Yankees have been scouting Lee, leading to speculation that a trade could be in the works. I doubt it happens though, I believe the Yanks are going to sign Lee in the fall rather than trade for him. To me, I think that's best for the organization's future and would prevent fans from ripping the Yankees for the move.

Of course, either of Oswalt or Lee could end up with New York's other team: The Mets. They've been interested in both of the elite pitchers, but analysts are skeptical of the amount of money the Mets have (to sign one to an extension), and the quality of the prospects they could trade. The Mets have one of baseball's worst farm systems, even the prospects they used in acquiring Johan Santana weren't great, and they'd become even worse if they traded top prospects Jenry Mejia, Reuben Tejada and Reese Havens for Lee or Oswalt.

So, gun to my head who do I think the Yankees trade for?
Cliff Lee.
It makes more sense than Oswalt. He's cheaper, younger, and he's dominating the AL. A move for Lee would make much more sense for the Yankees. I'd rather not give up Jesus Montero, the #4 prospect in baseball and best position player in the minors since Derek Jeter, but it's not in my hands. I believe that it's much more likely that the Yankees sign Lee as a free agent this off season.

So, gun to my head who do I think the Mets trade for?

Roy Oswalt.

He'd probably cost cheaper prospects than Lee, he's an NL pitcher, and he's already signed for this year and next year if the Mets were to pick up his $16 million option. Though giving up the prospects always hurts, I believe that the Mets could find a way to get Oswalt without giving up Mejia. If they can do that, then Mets nation would be ecstatic with a 1-2 of Santana-Oswalt.

Alas, we'll just have to wait until July when the rumor mill heats up. Who knows, either of these men could be wearing pinstripes or blue and orange come July 31st.

Only time will tell.

Brian Cashman & Jesus Montero on the right:

Cash: Jesus, how do you feel about Seattle?
Jesus: What? No, I want to play for the Jankees.

UPDATE (1:21 PM) Well, here you have it! Roy Oswalt would accept a trade to the Mets.