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Red Sox Designate Snyder for Assignment

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Relief pitcher Kyle Snyder was designated for assignment by the Red Sox this afternoon to make room on the roster for Josh Beckett, who is set to come off the DL and start for Boston tomorrow. Snyder is out of options and hence cannot be sent down to Pawtucket.   

Snyder has not impressed in 2008. Today versus Toronto, he pitched a third of an inning, gave up two runs, and walked two. March 25 against Oakland, he gave up two runs on two hits, including a solo home run. He wasn’t terrible in 2007, posting a career-best 3.81 ERA, but the Red Sox still preferred Eric Gagne over the 6’8" righty for their postseason roster.

The move makes sense for Boston, since they have a better long-reliever/emergency-starter/mop-up man/Manny-Ramirez’s-stable-pony option in Julian Tavarez. (Tavarez stanched the bleeding today in Toronto, going two and one-third innings and allowing just one hit and one walk.) The Red Sox now have 10 days to release Snyder, trade him, or put him on waivers.

So where will Snyder go now? It’s hard to say—at this point in his career (he’s 30) there’s not a lot of upside anymore. I don’t see another major-league club making room for him on their roster, so a trade seems unlikely. The probable outcome, in my view, is Snyder consenting to a minor league assignment after he clears waivers.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.

Olney: Red Sox Looking For A Catcher

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From Buster Olney’s blog today:

Scouts and officials with other teams say the Red Sox have been actively making inquiries about catchers.

Kevin Cash is Tim Wakefield’s personal catcher, for now.  Not sure on their knuckleball-handling skills, but here are some other backstops who may be available: Gerald Laird, Michael Barrett, Ramon Hernandez, Bengie Molina, Humberto Quintero, Brayan Pena, and Jeff Mathis.  However, Laird may be off limits and Barrett isn’t known for his defense.  Molina and Hernandez are signed through ’09. 

Cubs, Sox Still Like Crisp

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Cubs and White Sox "have shown the most consistent interest" in center fielder Coco Crisp.  Nothing appears imminent, as the teams haven’t found any kind of match on players.  Cafardo says the Cubs have found the asking price prohibitive.  A week ago, Peter Gammons suggested Sean Gallagher and/or Matt Murton could be in the mix.

The Cubs are currently using Felix Pie and Reed Johnson in center; the White Sox used Alexei Ramirez on Opening Day.  As the season progresses we could see the Sox try Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson, and Jerry Owens.

Crisp himself named the Cubs, White Sox, A’s, and Padres as clubs he’s heard rumored for his services.

Kielty Stays With Red Sox

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Outfielder Bobby Kielty will not opt for free agency; he’ll head to Triple A for the Red Sox.

Kielty, a 31 year-old switch-hitter, batted .218/.287/.287 in 87 ABs for the A’s and Red Sox last year.  In his defense, he battled back and calf issues.  Kielty can handle all three outfield positions and typically handles lefties well.  He’ll await a Coco Crisp trade to create an opportunity for him in Boston.

Odds and Ends: Cashman, Matsuo, Durham

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Some random links to ponder today…

Odds And Ends: Quintero, Rios, Pierre

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A few random notes from around the MLBiverse…

  • Henry Schulman says the Giants are in need of a backup catcher and a logical choice may be Astros backup Humberto Quintero, whom Bruce Bochy is familiar with from his days with the Padres. He also notes that the Rays have two experienced catchers that were just reassigned to the minor leagues in Josh Paul and Mike DiFelice.
  • The Jays and Alex Rios are closer today to an agreement on a long-term extension than they were yesterday. That according to Rios’ agent, Paul Kinzer. Yesterday it was reported that the Jays had offered a six-year, $65MM deal. No word yet on what any new offers might look like. Kinzer reasserted that a deal needs to be done by tonight or negotiations will be put off until after the season.
  • Bobby Kielty initially accepted his demotion to Pawtucket, but he is now having second-thoughts and will wait a few days to see if any other teams are interested in a switch-hitting outfielder. With all the rumors swirling recently about teams in need of outfield help, I have to believe that Kielty will land a major league gig. PECOTA projects a line of .253/.331/.418 based on 159 plate appearances and Kielty can play all three outfield spots.
  • The Dodgers made it official today, giving Andre Ethier the left field job.   This puts one more nail in the coffin of one of the worst free agent signings in recent memory. The move means that Juan Pierre will be a reserve, one year after signing a five-year, $44MM deal. The Dodgers will certainly look to trade Pierre, but will have to swallow a good portion of the $36.5MM remaining on the deal.
  • A couple of big names have made major league rosters after only earning non-roster spring training invites prior to spring training. The Rockies have given a job to Scott Podsednik, while the Rays did the same with former Rookie-of-the-Year Eric Hinske. In fact, Hinske will start on Opening Day and will be the Rays’ right fielder against right handers to begin the season.
  • Phil Sheriden notes that Adam Eaton was named the Phillies’ fifth starter, but that may not last long as Pat Gillick will certainly be looking for a better option. Sheriden feels that Gillick is much better at making moves in-season than during the offseason.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd

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Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs’ quest to add an outfielder.  Let’s put it all together.

  • SI.com’s Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets.  Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers’ need for him while Curtis Granderson is out.
  • ESPN’s Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal’s assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson.  Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton. 
  • ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently observing the Cubs.  Other scouts in ’zona are speculating about a Sean Gallagher for Crisp scenario.  Gammons notes that the Red Sox wouldn’t mind getting Murton back, either.  He thinks the Sox are wary of trading Crisp right now though, echoing a sentiment from Buster Olney. 
  • Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers want Murton plus one of Jose Ceda, Gallagher, or Donald Veal for Byrd.  Jim Hendry did recently re-engage the Rangers, according to Grant.

Who Wants Reed Johnson?

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3:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are "showing the heaviest interest" in Johnson.  Johnson does make sense for the Cubs, playing center when the team faces a lefty.  It might hold Felix Pie back slightly, but it’s a win-now move.

Rosenthal says the Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers are the other teams in on Johnson.  It’s definitely surprising to see the Sox and Rangers in the mix as neither club is light on outfielders.

9:40am: If 31 year-old outfielder Reed Johnson clears release waivers, he’s going to be a hot commodity.  Already, the expected three teams have been named as possibilities in their respective newspapers.

  • On Sunday, Joel Sherman characterized the Mets’ interest as "mild at best."  Bart Hubbuch says the Mets are interested but quotes Omar Minaya as saying the Mets will go with internal options.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in Johnson, noting that Jim Hendry is likely to make an acquisition this week.  Jeff DaVanon is another (less likely) option. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs would have interest in Johnson if he clears release waivers.
  • Joe Smith connects the Rays to Johnson and DaVanon, though only in speculation.
  • I asked ESPN’s Keith Law how Johnson handled center field.  He said: "I haven’t seen him since the injury, but he could play it every day when I was with Toronto, and he has a plus arm."

Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Darvish, Crisp

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Let’s round up some morning links.

Manny Hopes To Play Six More Years

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Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez expressed no discomfort with his contract situation (Boston has $20MM options for 2009 and 2010). "They’re not stupid," he said of his bosses in the Sox front office. "They know. They know I can play and I’m ready. That’s it. I’m going to get the two options, then I’m going to get a four-year deal. I’m just going to go and get it." That would have Manny retiring at the age of 42. "Age is just a number," he added.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.

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