The Colorado Rockies have made a move designed to give them more cash on hand and an open spot for a cheaper, younger infielder.

On Nov. 20, the Rockies traded veteran utility infielder Ty Wigginton(notes) to the Philadelphia Phillies. Compensation has not been decided upon, but it will be either a player to be named later or cash.

This was not an unexpected move by the Rockies. With a 2012 salary of $4.5 million due, the Rockies would love to have some of that come off the books. As a 34-year-old backup, Wigginton doesn’t factor much into the Rockies’ future plans in the infield.

While he has the ability to hit for power, Wigginton wasn’t consistent at the plate. His 2011 batting average was .242, and he hit just 15 home runs in 401 at-bats. The Rockies apparently decided that paying a marginal hitter that much money next season was something that they didn’t want to do.

If there’s one area where Wigginton might be missed, it’s as a backup to Ian Stewart(notes) at third base. However, just a few days ago, the Rockies signed former Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Brandon Wood(notes) to a minor league contract. I think he could be a suitable backup for a while (possibly more than a backup if he finally adjusts to major league pitching), while the Rockies wait for their next great young prospect to mature.

That promising young third baseman just had a great season (.298 average with 122 RBIs) with the Rockies’ Class-A team at Modesto. At 20 years old, Nolan Arenado appears to be the future at third base for the Rockies. Having a great Class-A season and being named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League session he just finished, I would think Arenado is very likely to get an invitation to spring training.

I still consider it unlikely that Arenado makes the major league team at the beginning of next season. It’s quite possible that he’ll spend some time at Class-AA ball just so he can keep working on his hitting. He’s still quite young, and shouldn’t be rushed to the big leagues.

Fans shouldn’t cry for Wigginton, however. He most certainly went to a team that has high hopes next year for the World Series, and they clearly valued Wigginton as a veteran utility fielder. It certainly seems as if, for once, this trade is a win for everyone involved.

Julie lives in Denver and enjoys going to games at Coors Field to cheer on the local Colorado Rockies each season.

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By Bradley Woodrum

– Newsdesk contributor

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Nov 5, 2011 – The Colorado Rockies had strong representation at the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Rising Stars game, sending a trio of position players and a pitcher to the early-winter all star game: 3B Nolan Arenado, 1B Ben Paulsen, LF Tim Wheeler, and RHP Casey Weathers.

The Rockies infielders hit a combined 1 for 10 with a Tim Wheeler single being the only occasion any Colorado farmhand reached base. Wheeler, a left fielder who broke out this year in Double-A, hit 33 homers and an impressive .287/.365/.535 slash in 2011, but has yet to transfer that success into AFL numbers, hitting .239/.337/.386 and 2 HR through 88 ABs.

Nolan Arenado, ranked the Rockies’ second best prospect by FranGraph’s Marc Hulet, hit 20 homers and .298/.349/.487 in High-A this year. Arenado has thus far dominated the AFL, hitting .407/.421/.692 and 5 HRs in 91 AB.

Ben Paulsen struggled in Double-A in 2011, hitting .241/.296/.413 despite launching 19 homers. He has yet to homer in the 2011 AFL season, hitting just .232/.312/.290.

Former first round draft pick Casey Weathers only got one out during the Risings Stars game, hitting a batter and getting charged for an earned run. Weathers struggled in 2011, sporting an unimpressive 5.32 ERA and 5.56 FIP.

For more on this, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Colorado Rockies, be sure to visit Purple Row.

Read More: Casey Weathers (P – COL), Tim Wheeler (CF – COL), Ben Paulsen (1B – COL), Nolan Arenado (3B – COL), Colorado Rockies

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Read More: Drew Pomeranz (P – COL), Eric Surkamp (P – SFG), Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants

On Wednesday afternoon, the Colorado Rockies call it an end to a 2011 season that began with the highest of hopes and ended with the severest of disappointments. They will face the San Francisco Giants, who are not returning to the post season one year after winning the World Series.

Rookie Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 5.68 ERA) struggled in his third start of the season. In Houston, the Astros roughed him up for six runs in two innings. But in his start before that, Pomeranz held the Giants to two runs in 5-2/3 innings at Coors Field. However, the bullpen couldn’t hold on and the team lost, 6-5.

Eric Surkamp (2-1, 5.32 ERA) was the opposing pitcher against Drew Pomeranz on Sept. 17. Surkamp had trouble finding the strike zone and walked six batters in 4-2/3 innings. Things only got worse when he faced the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sept. 24. Surkamp failed to complete the first inning, allowing six runs (two scored as inherited runners after he left the game).

The beginning of the end starts at 1:45 p.m. MT.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Check out McCovey Chronicles for more on the Giants.

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Regardless of what happens this month, the Rockies will be a disappointment. They aren’t going to the playoffs for the third time in five years. They aren’t winning their first-ever National League West crown, those dreams eroding with an awful May.

The issue now is who’s got next? How are the Rockies going to clean up this mess and contend next season?

In a 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks at coat-required Coors Field on Wednesday night, there were reasons for hope — see Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki — and concern. Will the Rockies have enough talent to offset their potential inexperience at key positions?

“It’s different. The pitchers are more consistent,” rookie catcher Wilin Rosario said. “The

game is faster.”

With youth comes enthusiasm, energy and mistakes.

Rosario hit his first home run — a 448-foot blast — one of three solo shots for the Rockies. He’s still learning the staff, unable to handle a pair of wild pitches. And he swung at a 2-0 changeup, making an easy out.

“They got me on that one,” Rosario said.

Rex Brothers, a potential closer of the future, saw his 11-game scoreless streak snapped when Justin Upton clobbered his 28th home run. Jordan Pacheco continues to show off a major-league swing, but he has committed errors in his first two games at third base.

“I have to learn fast,” Pacheco said. “If this is the best way to help the team and help my chances of staying, then I just need to keep working hard.”

The Rockies’ recovery, it could be argued, will be measured by Rosario, Brothers, Pacheco and rookie pitchers Alex White and Drew Pomeranz. If three have breakthrough seasons, the Rockies’ path back to contention becomes a lot smoother. If not? Then the Rockies are in danger of going 5-13 against the Diamondbacks, as they did this season. Despite his third career home run, Kevin Millwood was tagged for the latest loss.

Gonzalez hit his 25th

home run, a 442-foot shot to right field. Despite enduring a forgettable April and missing nearly three weeks because of a wrist injury, Gonzalez has a realistic chance at reaching 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.

“I just don’t like playing for (numbers). My reason to play is to be a champion,” Gonzalez said.

Tulowitzki is already there, becoming only the second shortstop in National League history to reach the 100-RBI milestone — joining Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.

“It’s hard to enjoy any individual stat right now,” said Tulo-witzki, whose 59-game errorless streak ended in the eighth inning. “The goal of every season is to make the playoffs. Without that, it’s a failure.”

The Rockies need victories in

15 of their remaining 19 games for a winning record.

The succession of failures from multiple players has shifted the Rockies’ focus from results to development.

“I didn’t expect this,” Gonzalez said. “But it’s important to finish strong to build toward next year.”

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com

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Upcoming pitching matchups

Thursday: Off

Friday: Reds’ Homer Bailey (7-7, 4.57 ERA) at Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (11-10, 3.60), 6:40 p.m., Root

Saturday: Reds’ Bronson Arroyo (8-11, 5.09) at Rockies’ Alex White (1-1, 7.41), 2:10 p.m., no TV

Sunday: Reds’ Dontrelle Willis (0-5, 4.21) at Rockies’ Drew Pomeranz (season debut), 1:10 p.m., Root