Wigginton might be one of those players who is capable of putting up a deceptively big offensive year in Colorado. But what position will he play in Colorado? If he is just a utility player, he won't have the chance at becoming another Dante Bichette.

Seems kinda redundant with the Jose Lopez acquisition. Aren't they the same player?

Seems kinda redundant with the Jose Lopez acquisition. Aren't they the same player?

Lopez is younger and better defensively (average or better at 2B and 3B) and his bat only plays at a real infield position. I expect that he's the starting 2B, with Barmes moving to back up all the IF positions.

Wigginton is older, hits better, and while he can fake 2B and 3B he's a terrible glove there. I think he's more of a 4 corners backup, as the starters at each are LHB.

I think DCA is right regarding what the Rockies want to use him for. RHB off the bench, and backup for the infield corners. That he can fake 2nd base makes me afraid they're actually going to user him there at times. They actually gave Melvin Mora 10 starts there last year.

The Rockies have a collection of minor league 2nd basemen as incumbents (Eric Young Jr, Jonathan Herrera and Chris Nelson) so Lopez might end up starting at 2nd.

Wiggington has a much weaker bat than the impression I had. (I guess 2008 must stick out, or maybe I've been confusing him with Josh Willingham.) If this is their Todd Helton insurance, ugh. Helton sure played like he was finished last year.

It also looks like they'll have about $7 million invested in Wiggington and Lopez this season. Seems like they could have made better use of the money. I wonder how hard they tried for Uggla, and if Florida needed a MLB player like Infante in return.

Barmes was traded to the Astros.

I thought EY Jr was going to be the starting 2B.

As much as what puck writes makes perfect sense, it's difficult for me to imagine that Wigginton was signed to be a bench player (or SIGNED to be a bench player) for that much money after his all-star year. Although I'm not sure what the going bench-player money is, so I could be completely wrong. It just doesn't feel like that's what's going to happen.

I thought EY Jr was going to be the starting 2B.

For as bad as Lopez was last year, he still out-hit Young by a fair amount (OPS+ 71 vs 54). Plus, he has a track record of being better than that. Young stunk at AAA too, I can't see any team (much less one with realistic playoff aspirations) wanting to count on him as plan A.

Wigginton has a career .816 OPS vs. LHP. He is a reasonable platoon hitter choice. He can play around the infield, but he is a defensive liability. When I have seen him play LF, he looked surprisingly decent on defense. The expanse of outfield in Coors Field may not be the best location for him to play a corner outfield position though.

As much as what puck writes makes perfect sense, it's difficult for me to imagine that Wigginton was signed to be a bench player (or SIGNED to be a bench player) for that much money after his all-star year

Holy crud, he was an all-star?

Anyway, to Tracy, a "bench player" might play more than the starter, like Torrealba and Olivo over Iannetta. Supposedly Stewart is on a short leash his year, which I'm sure will help him relax and become a productive hitter. And maybe I shouldn't consider a RHB platoon player a "backup." I think Wigginton will get plenty of starts vs lefties at 1st, 3rd and possibly LF.

He could also end up the starting 1st baseman if Helton's back acts up. Yikes.

Now that the Wigginton/Atkins/Mora/Huff stopgap strategy has run its course, did it lead to a bustling new crop of Orioles prospects who have matured sufficiently and mastered their positions without being rushed to the majors?

O's have lost Miggie and now Wiggy. Who's on first?

They lost Bigbie and Figga some time ago.

Holy Cow; no Miggie or Wiggy or Bigbie or Figga!
Whatever are they gonna do?
maybe win a few more games.....

it's interesting how the O's sign these crappy veteran players, they have crappy seasons, and then they somehow get raises from NL West teams. next we'll hear that Mark Hendrickson signs a $5 million deal with the Padres or something.

I don't think Adam Eaton got a RAISE when he went to the Rockies.

Holy crud, he was an all-star?

.288/.369/.565 with 13 HRs in the first two months, so that's pretty much why.

it's interesting how the O's sign these crappy veteran players, they have crappy seasons, and then they somehow get raises from NL West teams. next we'll hear that Mark Hendrickson signs a $5 million deal with the Padres or something.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/rays-mariners-eyeing-mark-hendrickson.html