WiggytoPhillyWhile other teams are overspending for defensive-minded middle infielders not likely to advance them up the standings, the Philadelphia Phillies have expertly acquired a decent piece of corner infield insurance at a very affordable rate.

As first reported by Fox Sports' Jon Morosi on Sunday afternoon, the Phillies will receive Ty Wigginton from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a marginal prospect to be named later or a sum of cash to be determined later. So next to nothing in terms of baseball value is lost, and they'll be splitting Wigginton's $4 million salary.

Basically, the Phillies just signed Ty Wigginton for one year at $2 million, which means they will pay him about 40 percent of Clint Barmes' average salary with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Different needs? Yes. Different markets? Yes again. But this deal for Philadelphia really illustrates the difference between an organization understanding what it needs to stay in the hunt and how to acquire it reasonably, and another

AP110707052186It's tough to find good middle infield help these days.

At least that's what the market would suggest after another bland, unexciting and honestly not all that likely to make a significant impact middle infielder has signed for a lot of money with a team I wouldn't anticipate having a lot of financial flexibility.

First, it was the Minnesota Twins inking the soon to be 38-year-old Jamey Carroll to a two-year, $6.75 million deal with the intention of letting him compete to be their everyday shortstop. We'll see how that plays out.

Next, it was 34-year-old Mark Ellis signing a two-year, $8.75 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, essentially taking Carroll's roster spot, but not providing nearly the versatility as a second baseman only. That right on the heels of Los Angeles signing Matt Kemp to the largest contract in National League history (for now).

Now comes word from SI.com's Jon Heyman that the Pittsburgh Pirates have come to terms on a two-year deal with Clint Barmes

AP110506129003If there was ever a more apparent mismatch between professional athlete and organization than Milton Bradley and the Colorado Rockies, I can't think of it.

That's why a tweet from Chicago Sun-Times baseball scribe Gordon Wittenmyer informing us that Rockies officials had met with Bradley's representatives on Wednesday afternoon caught so many people off guard.

Actually, the slightest implication of any organization having interest in Milton Bradley, who has spent the past few months facing domestic abuse allegations from his wife, would be pretty startling.

But of all teams, the Colorado Rockies? {YSP:MORE}

This is the organization that has prided itself on building with high character people following Denny Neagle's arrest for soliciting a prostitute back in 2004, and at one time — maybe still — wouldn't even allow a Maxim magazine to be present and didn't tolerate cussing in their clubhouse. Now they're talking to Milton Bradley's people? Really?

Granted, a lot of people saw their

Wilson GnomeIf you were hoping to get through a week without any Brian Wilson news, I'm sorry.

It's just never-ending.

When he's not showing up to the ESPY Awards wearing a spandex tuxedo, he's selling tacos. If he's not dressing up as a sea captain on "The George Lopez Show," he's storming the set of ESPN "College Gameday" wearing an LSU Tigers football uniform.

Wilson is everywhere, doing everything, and we're kind of along for the ride. But now comes this news. For the second straight season, the San Francisco Giants closer will be involved in one of the more unique promotional giveaways around Major League Baseball.

In 2011, there was the limited edition Brian Wilson frozen-in-carbonite statue giveaway at AT&T Park on Star Wars Day. Next season, as we learned on Monday, the Giants plan to give away 20,000 Brian Wilson garden gnomes to fans attending their Bay Area battle against the Oakland A's on May 20.

Yes, the man with the gnome-like beard is going to be a lawn ornament. But as different

uspw_4465643It had become apparent over the past few days that the St. Louis Cardinals brass was buying what Mike Matheny was selling as a potential big league manager. They confirmed that belief on Sunday, announcing the 41-year-old former big league catcher as Tony La Russa's successor in the Redbirds dugout.

Matheny will be officially announced at a press conference on Monday morning. Other candidates interviewed by St. Louis included former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg, and their own third base coach Jose Oquendo.

Even a week ago Matheny would have looked like the real long shot on that list, but he gets the nod anyway despite having no managerial experience. The Chicago White Sox went the same route in announcing Robin Ventura as their new skipper last month. However, unlike Ventura, Matheny has no coaching experience at any level, so on the surface this looks like even more of a reach. He did serve as a minor league instructor in the

MarlinsLogoThe next chapter of Major League Baseball in south Florida is underway. The Florida Marlins, who joined MLB in 1993 and have two World Series championships (1997 and 2003) to their credit as such, officially announced their name change to the Miami Marlins during an unveiling at the New Marlins Ballpark on Friday night.

The change coincides with the opening of the new ballpark, which is set to host its first regular season game in April. And to help complete the transformation, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria also officially unveiled their new logo and new uniforms.

After a quick introductory video package, Loria revealed the new logo before symbolically tossing an old Florida hat into the crowd. He then confirmed the new color scheme and revealed the primary home and road jerseys will both include the word Miami across the front, and separate all black and all orange jersey be included in the rotation.

The orange jersey will feature Marlins across the front.

[Related: Marlins' new name,

The St. Louis Cardinals only scored two runs in the fifth inning of their 6-2 World Series clinching victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. But it was the manner in which they scored that drove the dagger deep into the heart of Texas.

The Cardinals did not collect one hit in that inning, or benefit from a single Rangers error. They did, however, benefit from a questionable intentional walk decision by manager Ron Washington, which was soon followed by Jerry Layne's highly controversial ball four call to Yadier Molina that forced in the first run.

[Related: Rangers had nothing left in tank for Game 7]

Here's a little breakdown of the key components that went into that fateful frame for Texas. An inning that proved to be as painful as the ninth, 10th and 11th innings in Game 6. {YSP:MORE}

The decision: Scott Feldman took over for Matt Harrison to start the inning and he did so in sloppy fashion, walking Allen Craig and then nicking Albert Pujols' jersey on an 0-2 pitch. Lance

uspw_5656040If Mother Nature thought we needed two days to recover from the wackiness of Game 5, how many days does she think we'll need to recover from the roller coaster ride that was Game 6?

Let's hope she doesn't answer that.

The St. Louis Cardinals season-saving 10-9 victory over the Texas Rangers in 11 innings wasn't always pretty, but it didn't need to be. It was fun and had all kinds of personality. Errors, mismanagement, back-breaking plays, game-changing plays and some really clutch hits.

[Related: Cardinals' Game 6 win could be best ever]

That's all you can really ask for in a World Series baseball game, and to focus on one play wouldn't do Game 6 justice. With that in mind, I've expanded the playbook so to speak — just as 'Duk did with the Tigers-Twins tiebreaker game back in 2009 — by ranking the top 10 plays. You can check out each play by clicking the link and feel free to disagree with or rearrange the rankings in the comments section below.

[Related: Twice a strike from a title,