Kyle Snyder

Snyder's overall numbers weren't pretty in 2006, but he was a dependable solider for Boston, pitching as a starter and long reliever. Unfortunately, the Red Sox are hoping they don't need him in 2007 and you only have to look at his career numbers to figure out why. There may be a long-relief role for him with the Sox.

After missing 2004 with a shoulder injury, Snyder returned in 2005 and had remarkably similar success to his pre-surgery form. Unfortunately, that leaves him in Quadruple-A limbo, bouncing between Triple-A Omaha and Kansas City. It's a bad sign for Kansas City if Snyder opens the 2006 season in the rotation.

Snyder has had his share of health problems during his career, missing significant time due to stress fractures in his elbow and foot, back stiffness and shoulder tightness. He fought back from shoulder surgery at the end of 2003 only to reinjure it as camp opened in 2004. He’ll be “healthy” to open 2005 spring training, but his body has been through a great deal, and he has less-than stellar major-league statistics thus far in his career (5.17 ERA in 15 starts). Best-case scenario is he starts in Triple-A and returns to earlier form by midseason.

Shoulder and back problems plagued Snyder during his first season in the big leagues. The former first-round draft choice earned praise when he was healthy and will get every shot at a spot in the rotation this spring.

The former first rounder is a coddled commodity for Kansas City, averaging fewer than four innings per start at Single-A and Double-A last season. He's still a season or more away from helping in Kansas City, but two straight years in the Arizona Fall League have shown enough to excite the brass.