Jays talking Chris Snyder

Boston whiffed on J.J. Hardy. Might another whiff be coming? The Arizona Diamondbacks are talking to the Toronto Blue Jays about catcher Chris Snyder. This is not the first time Snyder has come up at Fire Brand. I was on shift at Rotoworld.com when the news broke, and here's what I had to say:

Snyder hit .200/.333/.352 in a scant 165 at-bats during the season, losing his starting gig to Miguel Montero, and having the year marred by injuries. Due $11.25 million through 2011, the 28-year old has a reputation as a great defensive catcher who has a healthy rapport with pitchers. The Jays' top prospect is widely considered to be catcher J.P. Arencibia, so you have to wonder what Toronto is thinking if the rumor is true.

Snyder isn't a world beater, but he did hit .237/.348/.452. If Boston wants to upgrade offensively and defensively, one way might be to go after Snyder, put Victor Martinez at first and slide Kevin Youkilis over to third.

Sign Danny Richar

Yesterday, the Cincinnati Reds allowed Danny Richar, a second baseman, to become a free agent by outrighting him. I'm here to say I want him as a member of the Red Sox. He became a Red last year in the Ken Griffey, Jr. trade (and Nick Masset). He hit .290/.330/.438 in Triple-A this year before undergoing labrum surgery in July. Richar is 26 years old. He bats left-handed and saw significant time in the bigs with Chicago as a 24-year old, garning 187 at-bats of a .696 OPS. He's seen spotty time since, never impressing. However, along with second base, he's adequate at third. Short in a pinch. Richar may not have hit at the big league level, but he's hit well enough in Triple-A over the last three years (.870, .746, .767 OPS respectively) that I say he's a great option for Triple-A, where he can serve as depth for backup infielder. You remember last year, when Lugo went down... and Lowrie went down? Nick Green was there. I'm advocating Richar as 2010's Nick Green, because he's younger, cost-controllable for years if we so choose with a bit more pop -- and naturally, with a bit higher ceiling. Sometimes it's the little deals that keep the Sox in the thick of it.