Rockies acquire Kouzmanoff, Wigginton phasing out

The Rockies obtained Oakland Athletic’s third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff today for a player or cash to be named later.

Kouzmanoff has been struggling and was in the Athletic’s Triple-A affiliate, Sacramento River Cats since June. Kouzmanoff has appeared in only 46 game in  the majors this season, compared to his 143 games in 2010. With UT infielder Andy LaRoche outshining Kouzmanoff on the field and at the plate, followed by Kouzmanoff’s right groin strain back in May, the struggling five-year veteran was sent to Triple-A for the first time since 2006 to make room on the roster.

Kouzmanoff was put on waivers to make room, once again, only this time for Sacramento’s 40-man depth chart. Kozmanoff is batting .221 this season with 17 RBIs.

This is the third move in a month the Rockies have made leading me to wonder how much time UT Ty Wigginton has with the Rockies. Wigginton has been consistent on the field and at the plate and was a great asset to the team when third basemen Ian Stewart was unable to produce at the plate and, similarly, when Jose Lopez ended up missing the mark of expectation by miles.

With the quality of the utility players acquired—along with Kouzmanoff —the probability of the Rockies letting go of Wigginton before the end of the season is very unlikely. I doubt we will see Wigginton complete next season if he even lasts that long, but it seems he will stay put for a while longer.