I don’t really get this move.

I see him as an injury insurance policy for Melmo and Itzuris. Isn’t this guy a utility infielder?

i’m not seeing the reasoning yet. maybe they are getting ready to ship a copule fo guys out in a package deal for something good?

That Roch titles a blog entry “Gettin’ Wiggy With It” in the next few days? Gotta be less than even money.

I’m not quite sure where Ty fits. Great to have another power bat who can play a few infield positions, though. He could be insurance for a number of things: if Pie fails, if Roberts is traded, if Memlo is injured. But if no other moves are forthcoming, this would bode ill for Gomez’s chances of making the roster. (Assuming we’re projecting a 3-man bench and 13-man staff.) It’s also cashing Lou and Oscar’s tickets to Norfolk for sure.

Which is interesting, because Huff did that at times last year. But it does feel like the DH/1B/other slot is pretty crowded now… I do like that we’ve got 5 20+HR guys on the team, though…

How much did we pay for this dude?

There must be some more wheeling and dealing going on. I wanted to see Luke get full time at bats this year, so that’s disappointing, but at the same time, Wigginton was a +3 Win player according to fangraphs last year, which is really good

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1491&position=3B#value

But it’s also the best season he’s ever had.

probably involving more players.

On the other hand, if he’s cheap and ends up staying with us, it’s not a bad acquisition. He has some power and has played everywhere but catcher. Which means, of course, that we’ll probably have him spelling ZAUN until Weiters parts the waters and shows up at OPACY to save the forking franchise.

One hits righties a lot.
One hits lefties a lot.

Together, they can combine their powers to hit everyone. A lot.

because we can put Scott in LF and DH/1B Wiggy/Huff.

Not to mention, a right handed bat is kind of a useful thing for us to have. With Markakis, Huff, Scott, all left handed, that was basically all our offensive power batting left-handed. Pie also bats left and ZAUN is much better against right-handed pitching. Izturis definitely preferred the lefties last year however.

For when we’re playing at Minute Maid Park.

IDGI. He rakes against lefties, in Houston, and during day games. That must be it. But given our 8 man rotation, I thought our bench players were locked in with Freel, Gomez, and BACKUP_CATCHER.

Per the below link, I suggest that he be referred to as WIGGITY from this point forward.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=wiggity01&year=2008

I’m just happy our bench this year isnt what it was last year (something like quiznos jaypay and moore on opening day?). DD can actually put those 1,000+ years of managing know-how to use now.

So with a 12 man staff, do we have Freel, Wiggington, Gomez and BU catcher as our bench? It’s looking real difficult for Reimold to get playing time in 2009.

But I like this move the more I think about it. Here’s why:

Really, there’s 5 guys—Pie, Scott, Wiggington, Huff, and Mora—for 4 positions — 1B, LF, DH, 3B. There’s plenty of playing time to go around, especially considering 1) the platoon splits of Scott/Wigginton, 2) that we really should be spelling Mora occasionally, and 3) there will almost certainly be injuries.

If nothing else, this will contribute to us having a real bench, avoiding nonsense like Brandon Fahey in LF to end games.

He also counteracts our very left-handed dominant lineup. How long have we been complaining about the O’s ineptitude against lefties? Wigginton addresses that.

He provides insurance for 2010 for either Mora or Huff leaving.

So, given the price tag, it seems like a very solid move, another plus for Andy Mac. I’m a little concerned because I want Scott to get a lot of ABs, but I think there’s plenty of room, as long as DT manages it all properly.

These are exactly the kind of moves we should be making for this year. Players that are undervalued like Ty and guys who are possible upside longshots like Pie and Hill.

At 2 years $6M; what’s not to like?

I have no strong feelings about this signing. Go on with your bad self Andy.

as a sign of prgress. Per Roch:

The six shortstops last season were Luis Hernandez, Brandon Fahey, Freddie Bynum, Juan Castro, Alex Cintron and Eider Torres. None of them remain in the organization.

We definitely have a better bench going into this year than we did last year.

I actually think the Orioles are catching up, in a way.

The Yankees spend tons and tons of money, but don’t get many good young players. Therefore, they constantly need to spend tons of money to bring in people to compensate for the fact that all of their players are getting older.

The Rays are really good right now with a great farm system, but that’s going to be difficult to mantain unless they are willing to spend money (and they aren’t)

The Blue Jays are very good, but not as good as the Rays.

The Red Sox are actually the most well-rounded of our division rivals, with very good prospect acquisition and the ability to spend money on big name players and keeping their players. I’d say they have the most reliable model of success, and the one I hope the Orioles can emulate.

They think it’s a good deal

Wigginton Lands in Birdland