Declining the Catchers

Per MLBTradeRumors, via Jen Langosch, the Pirates plan to decline the options on Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder. It is no surprise.

From Huntington:

"The impact Snyder has had on our staff since he got here is measurable," Huntington said. "That's an important element for us to keep in mind. His impact is measured much more than just in batting average and home runs that he hit. If he gets healthy and is able to come back, those benefits are still tangible."

I assume he means that he is measuring days on the disabled list, as that really is the only measure you can look at during Chris Snyder's tenure.

As for Doumit:

"In Ryan's case, he's obviously swung the bat as well as he has since 2008. He has still worked hard defensively."

He can keep on working hard, he will never be an adequate defensive catcher.

Perhaps the best quote:

"We have some level of interest, in a vacuum, of keeping both players," Huntington said

In a vacuum of course, we should be players for Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols this offseason.

So long Doumit and Snyder.