Ty Wigginton For Scott Proctor?

According to George King and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Devil Rays are willing to send Ty Wigginton to the Yankees for Scott Proctor.  The Yanks are willing to trade Proctor because they believe Joba Chamberlain can jump up from Double A and fill in capably.  Chamberlain is flat-out nasty.

Given his previous interest in Wilson Betemit, it looks like Brian Cashman is focused on adding a versatile player who is under control for several more years.  A bonus for Wigginton is that he bats right-handed.  Betemit is a switch-hitter but hasn't done much from the right side.

It's unclear how the Devil Rays would use Proctor, but I'm guessing they'd leave him in relief.  Having a decent guy who can pitch 80 solid innings in the AL East for a few seasons is a stronger need than starting pitching right now.  The Rays quietly have a ton of quality pitching in the Majors or in the pipeline.  This is a team with a $24MM Opening Day payroll this year - imagine if they bumped it to $75MM and added three star players to complement the current group.

Another note from the column is that the Rockies like the idea of taking Kyle Farnsworth off the Yankees' hands, but don't want to pay too much of his remaining salary.  Farnsy makes another $2.2MM this year and $5.5MM in '08.  In my opinion, the Rockies should go for it if the Yankees will eat half.

Comments

[johnflaherty]

I haven't been thrilled with some of the deals I've heard rumored having Proctor leave the Yankees, especially considering he's been our most reliable non-Mo reliever. Wigginton's a utility guy with a solid bat, thoughs, so I definitely would not hate this. I wouldn't mind the Yankees getting rid of Farnsworth anyway they could. So long as Torre can't sacrifice games to him in the 8th anymore.

[Bosox4416]

Sorry, but I'm finding this report hard to believe. I usally see 10-15 Rays games a season and Ty is actually a pretty popular guy there. I think it would take more than Proctor to get him, and I don't think they're going to deal him at all, atleast this season..But you never know

[ReflectionEphemeral]

imagine if they bumped it to $75MM.

That'd be pretty awesome, but is it likely to happen?

I don't see why the Rays need to part with this popular, versatile, effective player, and I don't see why the Yankees are shopping Proctor, when pitching is their biggest weakness. (Of course, that means I think they're both useful players, and so as far as equal value goes, it'd be a very reasonable trade). History question-- is it common for a contender to part with one of its best MRs at the deadline?

[jakec]

no way I do this if I am the Rays. The way that Torre has used up Proctor, he's a blown arm waiting to happen.

[delmonmvp]

Ty Wigginton is going to become expendable for the Rays very soon. With Iwamura at third, Harris at short and Pena at first, all under the Rays control for at least another 3 years each, three forths of the infield is set. BJ Upton, who is currently playing centerfield with Dukes and Baldelli unable to play, could also shift back to second base if needed. In addition, top prospect Evan Longoria (preranked the #4 prospect overall according to Baseball America) is pounding the ball at AA and could be up as soon as September. While Wigginton is a useful player now, he will soon become expendable.

Im not completely crazy about Proctor with the way Torre has abused him these past couple of years. Already 30 years old, Proctor is arguably in his prime. Wigginton is just starting to come into his own and is adored and loved by all the fans in Tampa Bay. Had he not missed a month with a broken hand last season, he would have been on pace for 30 home runs. Off to another solid start this season (.280 BA with 15 hr), Wigginton seems to have shed the utility player stigma. Knocking in 100 runs with 25-30 HR, thats an everyday player.

So is 2 years of Wiggy worth 3 years of Proctor?

[joeysdadjoe]

I agree about Farnsworth.If Im the Yankees I pay half but I expect something decent back in return.I like the job Proctor has done but he has been ridden hard and this may be a case of selling the car before the motor blows.Id take Betemit.Not sure of what to do with him but he does have talent.

[joeysdadjoe]

I agree about Farnsworth.If Im the Yankees I pay half but I expect something decent back in return.I like the job Proctor has done but he has been ridden hard and this may be a case of selling the car before the motor blows.Id take Betemit.Not sure of what to do with him but he does have talent.

[yankeesfan]

I think the Yankees need a lot of things. First, they should not trade Proctor. The worst thing the Bombers have is that they have a really bad relivers. Proctor is not one of them. Is better 4 the yanks to get a solid 1b like Marc Teixeira. They have money to get him. They should keep all their young prospect for the future.