With fans busy paying attention to names like Jonathan Papelbon and
Jimmy Rollins, Ruben Amaro has been working diligently to fix another
part of the Phillies:?the bench.
After signing Jim Thome to a one-year deal on Nov. 4, Amaro has now
traded for Colorado utilityman Ty Wigginton. The Phillies will send cash
or a player to be named later to Denver for the services of the
34-year-old veteran.
Wigginton, who hit .242 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI in 2011, is a
career .265 hitter in 10 seasons with the Mets, Pirates, Orioles, Astros
and Rockies.
The Phillies presumably like Wigginton for a number of reasons. For
starters, he is a right-handed bat with some pop. Wigginton owns a
career .274 average against lefties. He’s also hit 158 career home runs,
including 22 with the Orioles in 2010.
Wigginton is also versatile. He has the ability to play both corner
infield spots, and can fill in at second base and in the outfield.
Wigginton can be considered as insurance for health-deprived Ryan Howard
and Placido Polanco, and will be an asset off the bench.
