Axe finally falls on Snider

It seemed inevitable leaving Boston and heading to Atlanta to begin the Jays' schedule of inter-league road games, but after Thursday's game at Fenway Park, it became official -- Travis Snider has been optioned to AAA-Las Vegas. There was no callup immediately named, but it's likely to be Russ Adams, who can fill in at all the infield positions and the corner outfield spots. Adams is a lefthanded bat like Snider, but his sitting on the bench will not affect his future like it would Snider's. Adams had been hitting .324 at Vegas in 14 games at second base and in the outfield, missing some time with a hand injury. If not Adams, then Joe Inglett who brings the same credentials to the party.

Snider had just one extra base hit (a double) in his last 21 games and was being beaten regularly by soft stuff outside and down, causing him to also be late on the fastball. When he struck out in the middle game of the Sox series against Brad Penny, he looked whipped, head down, strolling back to the dugout. In the ninth, when Gaston pinch-hit for him against a lefthander, it became just a matter of time.

The clubhouse was closed for longer than usual and when the media was allowed in, Gaston's door was still closed. The meeting with Snider was a long one, which usually means trouble from the player on his way out in terms of needing an explanation. The fact that Snider was unwilling to discuss his feelings with the media also speaks volumes.  

As for the length of the Snider demotion, with the final six games of inter-league not coming until a trip to Philadelphia and Washington, it would seem extremely possible that he will stay in Vegas at least until the Jays return from D.C. on June 22. 

  

  

Comments

[Todd Shishler]

I don't know how it can't be Inglett... it was a tragedy that he didn't make the club out of camp. If you had a nickel for every time you wrote "Adams might get the call"... have mercy. Mighty Joe is just the multi-tooled scrapper this line-up needs heading to the NL.

[Jamie]

For sure, Inglett gave it his all last year, Id way rather see them reward a guy like Inglett...although I know nothing about how he is playing in Nevada...

[Ernest Miller]

God help me if a commenter just referred to needing a "multi-tooled scrapper." What the lineup needs is a legit power threat in the middle of the order, the kind of hitter that Wells and Rios are supposed to be. Maybe Oakland bails out on Matt Holliday soon and JP can work his usual Billy Beane connection to send them two of our young arms (not including Cecil) and a hitter. Send them Kevin Ahrens, Brad Mills, Dave Purcey and Brian Jeroloman or something and take some salary off of their books.

[Jeremy]

Adams is still on the disabled list and the buss in the locker room last night was that Inglett needed time to pack ...
51stoday.mlblogs.com

[Jeremy]

Todd, Inglett played his first game since April due to a hamstring injury last night and had an RBI single and a costly error playing second.

[Tabber]

Yup, Ernest, let's sell off the future for someone that has shown he can't hit AL pitching. Great move! Why not send Halladay away for a one-trick wonder as well? I really hope God will help you to realize just how delusional you sound, wanting to trade away four kids with futures for a .200 hitter. And it is Inglett coming up.

[RBI Radio]

Well lets hope today's game isn't a return of the offense we all came to hate. I love how asinine outsiders think because they hit a road block of late now Doc is on the move. Laughable.

[william goldman]

its too bad Cliff Lee is on a Losing Team. If he was on a Stronger Team, he'd be going for his Second Consecutive Cy Young Award. The Tribe has Victor Martinez, the league's MVP, and Nobody Else. Eric Wedge will be Gone Before The Season Ends.
Go Tribe.