Putting on a happy face
More than 10,000 fans are here, and they're still filing through the doors.
They're probably having a better time than Ty Wigginton, who's doing his best to hide his disappointment in the Orioles' roster moves.
Wigginton agreed to a two-year deal last winter because he was led to believe that he might be a starter in 2010. Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora weren't expected to return, and Wigginton can play first and third base.
The Orioles signed Garrett Atkins and reportedly have reached agreement with Miguel Tejada - two right-handed hitting corner infielders.
You can see the conflict here.
"Really, I can't worry about it," he said. "I know every team's goal when they go into the off-season is they try to get better. Obviously, you want to improve. I guess there's nothing I can really do about it. I've just got to get ready for the season."
And try to find his at-bats.
"It's not like I went out there and hit .220," he said. "I feel like I had an off year all year long at the plate and I still managed to pull out a .270-something. I think if I get my at-bats, my numbers will be there."
Wigginton, who looks like he's dropped some weight, could be a trade candidate in spring training. But the Orioles could use him as a backup at first and third. It's not like he's automatically squeezed from the roster.
Reminder: I can't answer questions right now. I'm just trying to move the comments as quickly as possible between interviews and blog entries. My apologies.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
I wish Ty well, but I thought he was the Orioles' most disappointing player last season. There were stretches in the early to mid part of the season when he was an automatic out.
I think he should appreciate the fact he has a roster spot and let the spring training competition take care of the rest.
AAAAAHHHHH Wiggy Loss Some Weight!!!
Where's Matt Albers At????
Hey Ty. Maybe you shouldn't have come to spring training 20 lbs overweight last year if you were so concerned about starting in 2010.
10,000 O's fans all in one place?
Unless it's Opening Day, that's not going to happen for the rest of the year.
miggy never has played 3rd. it took mora and ripken about 100 games to get comfortable playing 3rd. miggy though a still a good contact hitter has lost a lot of power. had only 14 hr last year in a hitter friendly park particularly for right handed hitters. to me not a good signing
I know that the Tejada signing (or shall I dare to say potential Tejada signing), will still brew some negativity from some posters here. Having said that, over the last 10 years (aside from a year or 2) I have hoped for the best and prepared for the likely fate of our O's. I've gotta say, this excites me. I truly believe that with just babysteps taken by our younger players, this lineup has the potential to be VERY potent. Tejada fits perfectly into the no. 2 slot and gives us a top 3 with great avg. You heard it from this blogger first, we will get out of our losing ways this year. If we sign Bedard, I guarantee it!
Thanks for the updates Roch!
Dont worry Ty,
You are not the only people this FO has misled!
Look at all the fans. Grow the arms, buy the bats.....
I guess that meant an aging Tejada
Sorry Andy..this wont cut it!
I'm sure it's disappointing, but Wigginton's value is as a super-sub and pinch hitter. His offense might be good enough to play everyday at SS or 2B, but he doesn't have the glove for SS and 2B is obviously filled. He is not productive enough at the plate to play every day at 1B or 3B. And he is not a good defender at either position. He cost the O's several times in the field last year.
Whether you like Tejeda coming back or not, it at least makes things a whole lot more interesting. Bedard would only help. It would be very disappointing if the O's didn't take the risk with Bedard at this point since there seems to be so little other interest in him. Even if he can't pitch until June, if you can somehow get 20 healthy starts, that's worth $4-5 million, right?
Roch, don't apologize, your working and we appreciate it!
Baron,
I see the logic for Tejada in the 2 hole, but he doesn't walk and does hit into so many double plays. Still, he did have great numbers there last year. As to other options, I really think our best option is Markakis. Though I would like to see him stay in the three hole. His numbers are great in the 2 hole. He is better when he is taking pitches and walking. Also Nick has much better speed than Miggy.
Wigginton could still get some decent playing time even with Miggy now at 3B (pending his physical)and Atkins at 1B. I'm thinking Andino is the odd man out. Roch, doesn't Andino have options left? I think you mentioned that previously. Thanks!
Wigginton represents something the O's haven't had in years: major league quality depth on the bench. Slowly but surely, MacPhail has added to the 'inventory' at every position. The Tejada signing for a one year deal was a great move both on the field and with the fans.
MacPhail is doing a great job of building a team.
You know Dylan, I agree with you. I don't think Ty should be given anything at this point. I wouldn't even have a problem putting him on the chopping block. I think if Scott Moore shows something in ST, he should gain Wigginton's roster spot. I don't this version of Wiggy was what the Orioles wanted when they signed him to the 2 year contract. What he showed me last year was that he couldn't run the bases, couldn't adhear to a patient approach at the plate, had troubles moving runners over, and showed breif flashes of power along with sup par fielding. If he had played the mental aspect better last year, and possibly done the little things neccessary to help a team win I would have had no problem letting him play third this year, but the facts from last year pretty much laid out the corner problem for this season. He can think all he wants how he should be playing, but he doesn't deserve to play anymore then he did last year, and that's being generous.
All that being said, I like Wigginton as an option off the bench. He has power so he is a prime pinch hitter. I have no problems with that at all, but playing him everyday? I'll pass. It would do well for him to work harder and not say that well he still hit 270 is. He was poor in the field and had a very poor plan at the plate. Until he improves those he won't ever be an everyday player.
Roch,
It was nice meeting you today. :)
Dylan said:
I wish Ty well, but I thought he was the Orioles' most disappointing player last season. There were stretches in the early to mid part of the season when he was an automatic out.
I think he should appreciate the fact he has a roster spot and let the spring training competition take care of the rest.
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I agree with Dylan.
When I read, "I think if I get my at-bats, my numbers will be there." I recalled him saying the same thing last year. By the end of the season Ty had his at-bats, but his overall performance did not convince anyone that he would be the best option for the O's starter at 1st or 3rd. His "off year" was not limited to his performance at the plate.
So, I'm happy to have him on the team. And I hope you has a fantastic year! But going into ST, I'm glad that we are not counting on him to be a productive starter.
Timothy
Roch, do you think that ty will now ask for a trade and how valuble of a trade chip is he ?
Wiggy had an uneven year last year. That the first month of the season was his worst set a negative impression in the mind of at least some fans (including me), and he never really overcame it. He had two bad months (April, July), two decent months (May, August), one good month (Sep), and one scorcher month (June). Had he started out hot like he was in June he'd have likely gotten more playing time and been in better graces with the fans. As it was, at the end of the season if you look at his numbers they weren't too bad. Not championship caliber, but he does make for a very versatile super utility player with some pop.
I think we have to trade him, actually. We've got to have someone who can fill in for Izturis if he goes to the DL. I'm okay with moving Miggy there in an emergency, but I wouldn't want Miggy to play short while Atkins or Wigginton take over at third for more than a few games. That's why Andino should make the team and AM has to try and find a way to get something for Wigginton.
Minnesota needs a third baseman and Wigginton's contract is only like 2.5 or so. If they are willing to deal with his poor defense, they may get a pretty good year out of Wigginton's bat.
6 mil for what 18 HR? This org. is a joke and a half.
Can you answer questions now?
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Always for you, Lindsay. - Roch
Wigginton is another one that can just go. hes another ageing vet that has no future on this team, i hope they deal him to open up a spot for Aubrey,Montanez or Turner all of them could help this more than Wigginton. With Miggy and Atkins able to play 3rd and Atkins,Aubrey,Scott we have 1st and 3rd pretty much covered with out Wiggy.
I like the moves they have made and i think they should keep Wiggy because he is versatile and has some pop plus he is a team guy.Andino is not a big league hitter. Bedard would be a good move at the right price. I live and breathe O's since the late 50's
Maybe AM will pull off another 5 for 1 trade with Tejeda. Lightning may strike twice
When will these guys get it?
Look how the Yankee hitters work the count and it leads to better sucess, i.e. stats and wins for the players and the team.
2009 was a step backwards for hitters like Markakis and Jones, led by a guy like Wigginton.
When you pop up the first pitch to shallow center every single at bat you diminish your value. You should have been more patient Ty. The team WAS looking to upgrade over your terrible 2009, and Tejada and Atkins are upgrades over you. If you'd had been more professional and serious about things in 2009 you might have secured a starting job in 2010, but you didn't. Hope you can max your value as a utility infielder who doesn't play short in 2010, cuz that's the end of the road with the O's for you.
Here's hoping that no injuries occur that would lead to more playing time for Ty Wiggington.
I'm surprised at how many people think Atkins is an upgrade over Wigginton... Atkins' batting average and power vanished last year, and that's with the benefit of Coors Field and the NL.
Compare:
Atkins: .226/.308/.342 in 399 PA, 66 OPS+
Wigginton: .273/.314/.400 in 436 PA, 87 OPS+
That's the second straight down year for Atkins, while Wigginton is just one season removed from his great 2008 in Houston. Anyway, I think if Atkins is back to 2007 form, Wigginton is a great bench player, and if not, he's at first. I don't want to see him traded.
When you get by the power drop for Tejada, he did have 199 hits and played in 158 games, producing 86 RBI's. For $6M, he's a steal. He also brings a little desire to win, something that may help if the pitching staff comes together. The Bedard and Tejada deals were great for the O's. Bedard has never had a year where he wasn't hurt and obviously knew it as he controlled his innings pitched and era by taking himself out of games after 7 innings. They may even bring him back this year but I kind of doubt it as he's always hurt and not a real gamer. Jones looks very good in center, Markakis is maybe the best right fielder in the AL, and Rheimold looks solid in left, all good hitters. Wieters at catcher ended his first season very strong once he was moved fro the 7-8 slot to 5th. Izturis is a solid SS who hits .260 and can move a runner up, Roberts is 31 but is know for his off-season workout plan. Tejada, for all the bad stuff said, is a very good hitter, a great clubhouse influence with his desire to win and should be better than Mora, while one of the two 3B prospects develop. Atkins at 29 is a decent risk at 1st and if he comes back to his 2006-08 self, should prove a steal. Pie responded well to Crowley's coaching and was hitting the ball well so he's a good option at left or as a 4th outfielder. Wigginton and Luke Scott combined for 30+ home runs and close to 100 rbi's so DH looks OK. Big question is pitching. Guthrie will probably be better than he was last year, his first sub-par year. Millwood should do better than in the heat of Texas. Bergensen was mentioned as a rookie of the year before he went down after being hit in the shin in july. Matusz looked solid when he was brought up in august. And Hernandez and Tillman have great arms and looked solid but showed inexperience, so they should get better. Koji (R) is healthy and with Gonzalez(L) should give the O's solid R/L closers this year. Hendrickson and Johnson are decent setup guys. Middle relief needs to find the plate a tad more than last year.
All that said, they still have to play 76 games against the AL East; but I think they will be much better than last year if health doesn't intervene.