D’Backs Rumors: Snyder, Webb
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest on the D'Backs' offseason plans…
- Chris Snyder will undergo back surgery tomorrow and the operation figures to hurt the catcher's trade value. The D'Backs have relied on Miguel Montero this year, so they don't need Snyder as much as they expected to when they signed him to a $14.25MM deal last offseason. The contract and Snyder's .200/.333/.352 line would likely have prevented the club from trading the 28-year-old even if he wasn't having surgery tomorrow.
- The D'Backs tend to avoid incentive-based contracts, but they may consider one if they approach Brandon Webb about restructuring his current deal. When Tim interviewed Josh Byrnes earlier in the year, the D'Backs GM said he prefers to avoid bonuses because he likes having a stable payroll and wants to avoid clubhouse distractions.
D’Backs Rumors: Snyder, Garland, Abreu
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest on the D'Backs catchers and their return for Jon Garland:
- Chris Snyder's back problems may not be serious, but they could become a problem for both the club and the catcher. The D'Backs hope to trade Snyder in the offseason to address other weaknesses and Snyder would presumably like to play every day. If Snyder returns in time to re-establish some of his value, he would help himself and the D'Backs.
- Piecoro hears that the Dodgers won't necessarily send Tony Abreu to the D'Backs to complete the Jon Garland trade. It remains likely that Abreu will join the D'Backs, however.
Odds And Ends: Giambi, Wagner, Oswalt, Snyder
Another round of links…
- Ed Price of AOL FanHouse reports that the Rockies officially announced the signing of Jason Giambi to a minor league deal.
- Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus says some clubs watch Latin American teams in the Little League World Series to establish preliminary lists of interesting players.
- Billy Wagner pitched an inning for the Mets today and Gameday says he hit 95 mph. He threw nine of his 19 pitches for strikes and picked up two strikeouts, walking one without allowing a hit. The Red Sox were surely watching the outing since they have another day to work out a deal with the Mets for Wagner.
- Roy Oswalt tells MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that time is running out and he wants the Astros to win soon, while he's around with Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and possibly Miguel Tejada.
- As MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports, Chris Snyder is glad to have signed an extension when he did.
D’Backs Ready To Move Snyder?
Scott Bordow at the East Valley Tribune notes that the recent breakout of Miguel Montero could spell the end of Chris Snyder's tenure as catcher for the Diamondbacks.
Snyder, who should return from the disabled list sometime this coming week, was signed to a three-year, $14.25MM deal this past offseason. But the club sees Montero as the future at that position, and the 28-year-old Snyder will likely be on the outs this winter. Montero has stellar 1.087 OPS this July and is at .834 for the season.
There's still a chance Snyder could be a useful regular. Any teams who might have a use for him next year?
Odds & Ends: Marte, Wilkerson, Bowden
Links for Wednesday as we enter the short post-Manny phase of the offseason…
- RotoAuthority has 18 undrafted players to watch for mixed leagues.
- WEEI’s Rob Bradford talked to Bill Lajoie, who was behind Boston’s acquisition of Andy Marte while Theo Epstein was on hiatus. Lajoie admitted he acquired Marte with the intent of flipping him.
- SI.com’s Melissa Segura writes about fraud involving Dominican prospects.
- Nothing cooking yet with the Red Sox and Jason Bay, says Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.
- Jorge Says No! says shortstops Bobby Crosby and Khalil Greene are at the crossroads of their careers.
- WEEI’s Alex Speier notes that Boston outfielders Jeff Bailey and Brad Wilkerson have opt-out clauses if they’re not in the bigs by certain dates.
- Fire Jim Bowden has the ten best moves of their namesake GM.
- Nick Piecoro wonders if Randy Johnson took a subtle jab at Chris Snyder.
- Updated June draft order at Baseball America.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday looks at each team’s 2012 commitments.
D’Backs Sign Snyder To Extension
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Diamondbacks reached a preliminary agreement with catcher Chris Snyder on a three-year, $14.25MM contract extension. The deal will also have a fourth-year club option. Arizona buys out two arb years, one free agent year, and then has the option on the second free agent year. Nick Piecoro broke the story a week ago, with similar details.
Snyder, Diamondbacks On Verge Of Extension
Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder is close to finalizing a three-year contract extension with Arizona, MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reports.
Snyder, 28 in February, hit .237 with 16 homers and 64 RBI in 2008.
A baseball source said late last week that the final details were being worked out, and Snyder would then take a physical before the contract is signed, Gilbert wrote.
Gilbert spoke with Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Webb about Snyder’s new deal.
“Having ‘Snydes’ behind the plate for the next two years will be great,” said Webb, who is under contract through next season with an option for 2010.
MLBTR posted reports about the possible extension on Dec. 23.
Chris Snyder Extension In The Works
According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are nearing a three-year extension with catcher Chris Snyder. The deal would buy out his last two arbitration years (2009-10), his first of free agency (2011) and include a 2012 option for another free agent year. Piecoro believes Snyder will be guaranteed $14MM and could earn $20MM if the option is exercised. Snyder apparently just has to complete a physical for the deal to be complete.
Snyder, 28 in February, hit .237/.348/.452 in 404 plate appearances this year while throwing out 29% of attempted basestealers. Piecoro says D’Backs pitchers like working with him.
D’Backs Rumors: Clark, Montero, Snyder
According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the D’Backs are progressing towards a one-year deal with Tony Clark, though GM Josh Byrnes says they’re "not all the way there" yet. Piecoro expects Clark to re-sign for less than $1MM.
Piecoro also found that Byrnes isn’t likely to trade Miguel Montero. The D’Backs GM said that "nothing in trade exceeds the value of keeping both" Montero and Chris Snyder, so he’ll hold onto them.
Arizona had considered dealing Montero to the Red Sox for Michael Bowden, but the Red Sox decided against the deal.
D’Backs Keeping Snyder, Montero
9:01pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says the D’Backs offered Montero to the Red Sox for Michael Bowden and were turned down.
6:48pm: According to Ed Price, the D’Backs are telling people they plan to keep catchers Chris Snyder and Miguel Montero. They did not like the way the market was shaping up.