Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton wants to remain with the Orioles if the alternative is receiving little playing time elsewhere, according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. Wigginton told Connolly that he's not campaigning for a deal and enjoys playing in Baltimore:
"If I were to go somewhere, I'd want it to be somewhere I could contribute," the 32-year-old said. "But I love the city of Baltimore, and I love playing here for these fans."
The nine-year big league veteran will earn $3.5MM in 2010, the final year of his contract. Earlier this week, it was reported that Wigginton would be open to playing for the Mets if the O's become sellers. However, Wigginton "chuckled" at that story as both he and Millwood were responding to a question asking if they would have a problem playing for the Amazins.
Wigginton has started 52 of 57 games for the Orioles this season while playing at first, second, and third.
Not really saying he wants to stay in Baltimore, just that he likes it there. But other than Milton Bradley, has a player ever said they hate playing in the city of their current team?
I think players won’t necessarily say that they “hate” playing in town X, but when a player wants to leave a town, they generally won’t say they “love” it. They’ll generally clam up, or, the writing is so obvious that it never really gets asked.
aubrey huff said he didn’t like the city of baltimore when he started playing there.
Huff was referring to the night life in the city after the game was over. Huff, responding to the moronic Bubba the Love Sponge, apparently considers himself something of a man about town, despite his wealth being his only redeeming quality. He never said he didn’t like playing for the Orioles.
I’m almost sure that any team that goes out of their way to acquire Ty is going to start him. It would be an absolute waste if they didn’t. I know he’s playing a bit above his head right now, but even average Ty is good enough to warrant being a starter. Granted, with his meh defense, you’d probably be subbing him out quick in the late game, but still.
If Danny Valencia can’t produce something, I wouldn’t mind inserting Wigginton into the Twins lineup to erase the pathetic combination of Nick Punto and Brendan Harris.
I think Wiggington is a better glove than what’s been the so-called industry wisdom on him. He has a quick glove and soft hands. He made a game saving play the other day on a tough in-between hop at 1B. He’s not a stone statue out there.
Then again there are times when he is slightly exposed at 2B. Though When a bench player gets exposed it’s usually due to the everyday rigors of playing, and all facets suffer. When Wiggi gets exposed at 2B it’s just that he doesn’t quite have the range on some plays, but his bat never really tails off. I can’t speak for his career previous to coming to Baltimore, but his numbers last year was off because he never really got an extended string of starts consistently. This year, because ROberts has gotten injured, he’s been in there, and his good HR rate has come back too, which he’ll probably be in and around the 20 HR mark by year’s end.
That’s pretty solid at 2B. Though he’s probably a better 3B than 2B.
He should be
apparently he doesn’t like to win either.
I think it has less to do with the city than it does with playing time. The guy just wants to play.