PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates intend to decline the options on catchers Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder, Jenifer Langosh of MLB.com reports. The Bucs have not yet made their final decision official.
Both Doumit and Snyder spent the majority of the season on the disabled list, forcing the club to use eight different catchers this season (also Jason Jaramillo, Dusty Brown, Eric Fryer, Wyatt Toregas, Michael McKenry and Matt Pagnozzi), which was the most used by the Pirates in one season since 1953 when they also used eight different catchers behind the plate.
Doumit’s option for next season is $7.25 million and $8.25 million in 2013. Snyder’s option, which was negotiated when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks is for $6.75 for 2012.
If the Pirates decide to explore the free-agent market for a starting backstop, Doumit ($500,000) and Snyder ($750,000) both have buyouts attached to their option.
Doumit when healthy, brings a strong offensive bat to the lineup. In his 77 games this season, Doumit finished with a .303 average, 12 doubles, eight home runs and 30 RBI, including a National League best .404 average in the month of September.
Snyder appeared in just 34 games this season where he batted .271 with three home runs and 17 RBI. But Snyder’s impact on the pitching staff went way beyond his numbers. Earlier in the season I wrote a story on the relationship between Snyder and right-hander Charlie Morton, who gained his confidence back with him.
If the club decides to look within the organization for help, Jaramillo, McKenry, Fryer and Pagnozzi are all options but are seen more as a backup role.
The Pirates first round pick (fourth overall) in the 2009 draft Tony Sanchez is labeled as the future catcher of the Bucs organization. The 23-year-old, however, isn’t ready for the Majors yet as he finished the 2011 season with Double-A Altoona.
The Pirates have until three days after the World Series to make their final decisions about their options.
Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
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