Wiggy part II?

[lefty]

Bucs 1 of 4 teams interested from a "well placed source".

I doubt it, but who knows?

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/12/14/pursuing-wigginton-makes-sense/

[Dogknot3]

I don't see a need for him with Vazquez on the team.

[magnumo]

Wigginton made over $5 mill for the 2008 season, and there is speculation in the media that it will take at least that much, and perhaps as much as $6 - $7 mill to sign him for 2009.  Is Wigginton the type of player whose chances will be hurt by the economic downturn?  Hard to say at this point..... but with the Pirates semi-committed to Andy LaRoche (and with Walker and Alvarez in the system), it seems very unlikely that NH would be willing to pay Ty Wigginton anywhere near what he expects to get.

On the other hand, Wigginton can also play 1B and 2B.  If NH truly IS pursuing him, that would be a VERY interesting signal.

[lefty]

Another confirmation from DK

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08350/935200-63.stm

[Dogknot3]

I liked Wigginton and hated to see him leave after the 2005 season (?).  I think he got a bad rep with the fans because he was had for Kris Benson, who many thought should have brought more in a return.  Wigginton can play 2B, probably his best position, and would be a decent bench guy.

After some thought, he could provide that power off the bench, but at what cost?  I wouldn't pay him anything near what he got last year to sit on the bench. 

If he is brought in to be a pinch hitter with some pop off the bench, I am all for this move.  I just wouldn't pay him that much money and I hope he would understand that role as he sat most of the time.

[docjeano]

I also liked Ty and was sorry to see him leave.  I don't know why they dumped him.  He was/is a hard nosed player, a blue collar worker, and had some pop in his bat.  I wouldn't mind having him back, but don't know where they'd play him, unless they'd move him around to different positions (3rd, 1st, of), depending upon what they needed at the time.

[CAfan]

Cutting him the first time was a ridiculous move, signing him for anything more than 2 mil a year would be equally ridiculous.

I like Wiggington, i like his versatility, but he is not a great fit for us.  Right now we are looking at a lineup with:

C- Doumit
1B- LaRoche
2b- Sanchez
SS- Wilson
3B- LaRoche
LF- Morgan
CF- McLouth
RF- Moss

MInf- Vazquez
CInf-
OF- Pearce
Util-
C- Diaz/Jaramillo

Personally, i wouldn't mind Wiggington and Mintky rounding out the mix.  i think that would give us a super bench, but in April when the LaRoches are struggling would there be a chance that these two solid vets take over?

[by-the-Sea]

WGTBSM.....


Waaaay overpriced.

[Dogknot3]

WGTBSM.....


Waaaay overpriced.

What does that mean?  I am not up on my chat room lingo.

I think Wigginton would be a good bench guy for the Pirates.  I just don't know if he would want that role or take a contract at the price for that role.

[Max Power]

I think wiggy would be the option if Minky isn't broght back in.  But only if the price is right.  Can't see them both being on this team...

I don't see it happening.  Wigs will go somewhere else.

[SyrBucco]

Signing Wigginton would give me Dave Littleyield flashbacks.

Wiggy is not a good fit for PNC, and he's not a good fit for this team.

If I was sure he could match last year's stats, maybe I'd feel differently, but he sucked outside of Houston, and I think he'd be a high-priced underachiever here. Worse, he's have to end up taking at bats from Pearce. We need to see what we've got with Pearce and Little LaRoche. We need to take our lumps if necessary and give them every chance to succeed, because, long-term, we are screwed if at least one of them doesn't turn into a solid MLB starter.

One thing he does NOT do is compete with Vasquez, a pull-hitting lefty with wicked splits. We could use a versatile vet righty who could PH and I hope we will find a guy that's paid like a sub and has a positive attitude for that role. Wiggy is not that guy.

[CAfan]

I agree that Both Mintky and Wiggy wouldn't likely to be on the bench, but i think that is a better makeup than multiple light hitting MInf folks.

I just prefer bats on the bench, and folks who can PH.

As for MInf

SS- Wilson, Vasquez, Sanchez (in a pinch)
2B- Sanchez, Vasquez, Wiggy

I think that is enough depth and flexibility.  In case of a trip to the DL for Wilson or sanchez someone is called up.  it all makes sense for me.

CF is the other area that requires real bench consideration and mclouth and morgan can both play it.

I like the flexibility and bat that the bench I proposed would have.

[by-the-Sea]

Sorry - didn't mean to lose folks.  YGTBSM pre-dates chat.  It's military.

You Got To Be S'ing Me.  (cleaned it up for the kids )

Expect Wiggy won't be looking for a paycut after last year's numbers (even if he knows that his home park significantly helped). 

[Babe Adams]

It's not just last year. He did all his hitting at home for Tampa, too.

[scrapiron]

If the bucs think that wigginton can provide the RH power they need, then sign him.  They won't spend more than they can afford so if they go 5M+ they have it to spend.  It won't be a long term thing nor will it block anyone.  So we shouldn't really care what they pay him, only that he perform like he did last year.

For me there is only one other non-tendered position player that looks interesting, and that is Justin Christian.  He would come cheap I would think, can play all OF and IF positions.  He has speed and has hit in the minors, but only .250 in limited ML time.  I look at him as a more versatile Michaels.  Of course if DM returns, we would have a better utility guy in him.