Chris

Snyder

Bobby Estalella could be one possibility. They’re only looking for backups willing to accept minor league deals.

The team got older everywhere else over the winter, so going with two young catchers is no longer an option. It’s too bad. Neither Snyder nor Hill deserves 120 starts, but the pair could make up a fair tandem.

With Johnny Estrada ahead of him and Miguel Montero on the way, Snyder may have a hard time earning another chance to play regularly in Arizona. Still, he’s doing what he can to earn an opportunity by hitting .299/.381/.457 in 127 at-bats this season. He’s 15-for-40 since the All-Star break.

With Johnny Estrada still ailing after getting hit by a pitch, Snyder got a chance to start. He went 0-for-4 and does not have a hit since last Saturday. With Estrada expected to return in the next couple of days, and the D’Backs eager to give prospect Miguel Montero some looks down the stretch, Snyder will have no fantasy value for the rest of the season.

It figured that Johnny Estrada would play less this month, but it was also assumed that most of those starts that opened up would go to Miguel Montero. Instead, Snyder has started three of the last four games. The Diamondbacks are trying to figure out exactly what they’ll do for a catching situation next season. If Snyder finishes strong, they’ll feel more comfortable trading Estrada and letting Snyder and Montero battle for playing time.

Well, someone in the organization must just hate Craig Ansman. Snyder is probably the better long-term prospect of the two, but Ansman is ready now. Snyder shouldn’t have gotten this chance until mid-2005 or 2006. The 23-year-old was batting .301/.389/.520 in the Texas League. If he plays more than Juan Brito, he could have a little value.

Snyder made just 119 plate appearances this year due to back surgery. He’s not productive enough when healthy for the Pirates to take the nearly $7 million risk.

It was a two-run shot off John Van Benschoten. Snyder is playing more than Juan Brito, so he’s worth adding in NL-only leagues.

Snyder didn’t play another game this season after undergoing surgery on his lower back in June, though he appears to be fully recovered heading into the offseason. Entering the declining stage of his career, he simply hasn’t been productive enough to warrant the investment. The club hasn’t ruled out re-signing him at a lesser salary, but they will likely move on with in-house options.

Snyder has an 873 OPS in 81 at-bats with solid defense. Koyie Hill may have to share catching duties next season.