It is a bit ironic, if not telling. Ty Wigginton can play four positions, and by last season’s end had none with the Rockies.

Jordan Pacheco assumed that utility role in September and is no longer keeping the seat warm for anyone. Confidence in the 25-year-old and a desire for slight salary relief conspired to make Wigginton a Philadelphia Phillie on Sunday night.

The Rockies shipped Wigginton to the NL East champions and will split his $4 million salary this season. The Rockies can receive an additional $100,000 or a player to be named later if the Phillies exercise Wigginton’s $4 million option for 2013.

“Ty played hard for us but will fit better for the Phillies right now,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “As we reshape our roster, this made sense for us.”

Last winter, the Rockies added Wigginton and Jose Lopez, seeing them as critical complementary pieces for a team that contended until the 2010 season’s final two weeks. Both moves backfired. Lopez never panned out, and Wigginton got swallowed in the third-base drama, losing playing time to Ian Stewart in July, Chris Nelson in August and ultimately Pacheco over the final month.

Wigginton, 34, performed well until July, but his struggles with runners in scoring position (.163 in 123 at-bats) accelerated his exit. He finished with a .242 average, 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Pacheco, 25, hit .286 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 21 games. He can play third — where Nelson, Brandon Wood and Stewart, who remains a trade candidate, are in the mix — first base and catcher.

Saving $2 million on this year’s payroll can help as the Rockies look to add another bat and starting pitcher. The Rockies are still attempting to acquire the Braves’ Martin Prado, who would be their primary second baseman but can also play third.

They also are aggressively pursuing Roy Oswalt and have interest in outfielder Jonny Gomes after losing out on free agent Grady Sizemore. They were led to believe by Sizemore’s agent that they finished second to the Indians.

“We will continue looking for ways to improve,” O’Dowd said. “It’s a long winter.”

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