Orioles sign Ty Wigginton to a 2 year deal

[Tx Oriole]

Does this mean Scott or Huff is on the way out?

Makes me wonder now. I beleive there must be a trade in the works for Scott. Huff is good as the DH. Wigginton plays 1st so to me Scott is the odd man out. Pie will be in LF. I was not looking for this at all.

[McNulty]

If I had to guess - Scott Moore...

You ready for our bet Sly?

[SilentJames]

I doubt that happens.

Though with my predictions lately dont hold your breathe.

Well, I also think that we really have an under-appreciated player in Scott. I think he could easily give us numbers better than last year's. He really was a joy to watch play.

I really hope that there is a plan that keeps him on this team, productive and happy.

[TGO]

http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/019282.php

"Ty Wigginton added catcher to his resume of positions last December"

Of course the article isn't talking about baseball

That's pretty incredible.

[Sports Guy]

Not sure how you could say anything bad about this signing.

He provides some insurance for 2010.

He gives the Orioles a righty bat against lefties...He enables us to be very versatile and flexible with the CI/OF/DH spots and he isn't costing us anything.

He should be able to hit fine in OPACY, just like he did in Houston.

I also don't see how this is a precursor to another move...While I hope so, signing Wigginton gives them the platoon partner to Scott that they have wanted and they make it easier to rest Huff and/or Mora on a more regular basis.

Now, will DT manage this roster correctly? IMO, he did a poor job of using the versatility last year and this year, he has even more flexibility.

It will be up to him to make sure the older players are rested more, that guys are put in a better position to succeed, etc....

[Mad Mark]

I'm OK with this (like I had a choice!). AM's added another RH bat off the bench for those "tough lefty" days. Also, if the Orioles provide a bench that DT likes and trusts, maybe he'll be less reluctant to use it.

As far as expecting additional moves by AM goes: he's said he's not done. I expect the moves to continue until the day MacPhail hangs 'em up here.

[Moose Milligan]

It's almost as if MacPhail is reading the board and making moves based on what he's reading off here.

Better be careful, guys. Some might get overinflated opinions of yourselves and might start to think that you too can be a MLB GM:thumbsup1:

[TinCup]

Here's to hoping that this new "Wigs" has a more impressive stay with us than this earlier Wigs version.

[Frobby]

If we actually went with a 13-position player roster, I'd love the way this team is constructed. When was the last time we had a bench this good?

Now we really need to add a starter who can give us 180-200 innings so we can afford to carry a 12-man staff.

[Peace21]

Not sure how you could say anything bad about this signing.

He provides some insurance for 2010.

He gives the Orioles a righty bat against lefties...He enables us to be very versatile and flexible with the CI/OF/DH spots and he isn't costing us anything.

He should be able to hit fine in OPACY, just like he did in Houston.

I also don't see how this is a precursor to another move...While I hope so, signing Wigginton gives them the platoon partner to Scott that they have wanted and they make it easier to rest Huff and/or Mora on a more regular basis.

Now, will DT manage this roster correctly? IMO, he did a poor job of using the versatility last year and this year, he has even more flexibility.

It will be up to him to make sure the older players are rested more, that guys are put in a better position to succeed, etc....

I agree with you on that I dont see this as a precursor to something else.

[threedaysrest]

From Roch:

Having Wigginton on the roster also would give the Orioles another option at second base if Roberts is traded, but I'm told this signing isn't a precursor to a deal. Nothing is close regarding Roberts.

Interesting...

If Roberts stays, who else goes, where, and for whom?

[Rolotomassie]

I don't think this necessarily means more moves are on the way. I think AM and DT looked at the projected lineups and they looked a little bit lefty heavy, so Wigginton was brought in to help against LHP. The guy whose possibilities of making the team just took a big hit is, IMO, Montanez.

[Biff Tannen]

I don't think this effects Mora much. If anything, he can now get some days off. Wigginton will probably play exclusively at 1B with some time at 3B to spell Mora...

That's exactly how it effects Mora. Mora doesn't like to take days off. He doesn't need rest. He hates rest.

[TGO]

What if we trade nobody and we go with a 4 man bench comprised of a backup catcher, Freel, Gomez, and Wigginton? Scott and Wigginton split time at DH depending on matchups.

Yep, that's a great bench. And we truly do not need to move anyone else. That being said, Scott may have more value to another team (as an OF starter) that we could leverage. Or not. But I'm sure we're looking.

[hoosiers]

Wigginton provides ML quality backup at 1b/3B for this year and next and could step into a bigger role on a temporary basis if someone gets hurt.

He's a clear upgrade on whoever we remove from the 40 man roster and does not appear to block any prospect.

Seems like a solid move at a good price.