The Yankees have some interest in Ty Wigginton, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. Price suggests the Yankees would be interested in the 32-year-old as a part-time player, rather than as an everyday starter.
In 299 plate appearances for the Orioles this season, Wigginton has hit .258/.342/.465, and his versatility has provided the O's even more value. In addition to logging significant time at first and second base, he has started a handful of games at third base. Though Wigginton hasn't spent any time in the outfield this season, he has shown in the past that he can play there if needed, recording 30 games in left field for the Astros in 2008.
For their part, the Orioles are reportedly looking for a young shortstop in exchange for Wigginton. If they were to discuss a trade with the Yankees, the first name the O's would bring up might be Eduardo Nunez, who Baseball America ranked 14th among Yankees prospects heading into 2010. The 23-year-old shortstop is in the midst of a breakout year (.313/.358/.416) for the Yanks' Triple-A affiliate, making it somewhat unlikely that New York would move him to rent Wigginton. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports doesn't think any team will part with a promising young shortstop for Wigginton, calling Baltimore's demand a "self-defeating stance."
Wigginton is earning $3.5MM in 2010, the final season of a two-year pact with the O's. According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Wigginton recently left agent Dan Lozano and hired the Levinson Brothers, presumably in anticipation of his upcoming free agency.
I’m sure Ty Wiggington would love the Yanks to get him.Anything to get outta Baltimore.
Well, on the one hand, Nunez has bad range at short. On the other, Ty has crashed down to earth. /shrug. It’s a toss-up.
We do need some help for the bench and a bat like his is perfect. But I think our bullpen is our #1 need. Because Joba sucks (I think we should trade Joba), and the rest of the bullpen is mediocre. The only bright spot in the bullpen is of course Mariano Rivera.
I disagree that this is the bat we need. Thames is just as good if not better than Wigginton when it comes to hitting. In addition, Wiggington does not provide additional versatility and the Orioles demands are pretty high right now so this is not a trade we need to make.