The Colorado Rockies are targeting free agent and former Baltimore Oriole Ty Wigginton as a power bat off the bench, according to Ken Rosenthal.
#Rockies meeting today with Wigginton's agent. No. 1 target for RH bat off bench. #MLB
Ken Rosenthal
Ken_Rosenthal
Wigginton has been consistently linked with the Rockies since the 2010 trade deadline, so this comes as no surprise. Though officially, he can play as a utility infielder (with experience last season at first, second and third base), Wigginton has rated as very poor defensively for most of his career. Rosenthal's choice to specify "off bench" may suggest that Colorado sees Wigginton purely as a right-handed bat, in the role of Jason Giambi the past 1.5 seasons. He would likely platoon with Todd Helton, giving Helton days off to remain healthy.
Wigginton did hit 22 homeruns last season in Baltimore, though his .312 on base percentage leaves something to be desired. But if the Rockies are looking for a right hander with some pop to split time with Helton, they could do far worse. He made $3.5 million last season, and would likely sign with Colorado for a similar amount.