According to MLB.com, ex-Mets IF Ty Wigginton was non-tendered by the Houston Astros, thus making him a free agent.
Depending on the price, it would be in the Mets best interest to try and bring him back. Wigginton would be an expensive bench player, but in reality he would probably play more often than not. The Mets could use a bench player with his pop and versatility.
In his career, Wigginton has played over 500 games at third base, over 100 at second, with also 84 at first and 37 in left. Third base is currently occupied by that David Wright fellow, but should Wright need a day off or suffer an injury, the Mets don’t have an adequate replacement (Damion Easley and Fernando Tatis cannot play third, at least anymore). Left field, as of now, appears to be a platoon between Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis. This is a shaky tandem at best, which could use a stabilizing force such as Wigginton. Some people advocate for the signing of a player such as Bobby Abreu or Manny Ramirez, but considering the talent of Murphy, a full-time LF is far from necessary.
Wigginton could also prove to be a solid backup for ole-man Carlos Delgado. Delgado showed life in the final months of last year, but he is only getting older. Wigginton is a perfectly suited platoon-partner with Delgado, considering Wiggy mashed lefties to the point of a .340 batting average last year.
Finally, the second base situation is still questionable with the always gimpy Luis Castillo primed for the job, and of course more time on the disabled list. Wigginton has a plethora of experience at 2B, and could provide some pop from that position that we haven’t seen in way too long.
While he might not have an official position on the team, the Mets should seriously consider signing this Ex-Met. I’d wager that given his versatility and decent bat, he’d play over 100 games, ranging from a super-pinch hitter to a starter at LF/1B/2B/3B. Plus, he can bring back those Mets fans who are reminiscent about the glory days we know as the Art Howe years. . .
