I Won’t Have Snyder to Kick Around Any Longer
Kyle Snyder was recently designated for assignment to make room for Josh Beckett. Barring something unforeseen the move closes his career in Boston. I’ve taken several swipes at Snyder recently.
After the season opener I wrote:
I like Kyle Snyder. His comeback from arm trouble is a great story. That said the less I see of him in the 6th inning of tie games the better. Five runs down, five runs up… that’s where Kyle Snyder should live.
And in previewing the 2008 Red Sox season I again mentioned my concerns regarding Snyder:
Pitching, however, has me worried. If Schilling doesn’t return, Wakefield breaks down, Buchholz isn’t ready, and Dice-K and Lester continue to elevate their pitch counts leaving Kyle Snyder to pitch the 6th in tight games it won’t be pretty. And quality pitching is tougher to pickup midseason (and getting more difficult) than offensive pop.
I wasn’t alone in my opinion. Zach Hayes recently wrote:
Snyder cannot be relied on in game-deciding situations.
The last spot on the roster should not be served to a pitcher with no clear role, who is awfully mediocre, and provides absolutely zero upside.
As noted previously, Snyder seemed like a nice guy and his journey back from arm trouble was inspiring*. He’ll always be remembered as a member of the 2007 World Champion Red Sox. But his removal from the team was long over due. Whatever magic he brought in 2006 is long gone. Snyder’s absence doesn’t solve Boston’s bullpen problems, but it certainly doesn’t make it worse. What it does is allow the Red Sox to go in another direction, try other solutions.
Snyder wasn’t the answer, and he was never going to be.
*Hopefully Snyder will catch on as a 5th starter in the National League where the offenses of the Yankees and Tigers are only rumors.
