Giants decline options on Snow and Young; Rodriguez

[Mad'sWife]

10/20/2003 5:23 PM ET
Giants decline options on Snow and Young; Rodriguez exercises player option for 2004 season


SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants have declined their club options on the contracts of infielders J.T. Snow and Eric Young for the 2004 season, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced.
Additionally, right-handed pitcher Felix Rodriguez exercised his player option for the 2004 campaign, opting to return for what would be his sixth season with the defending National League West champions.

Snow, 35, has been a major part of the Giants' success since being acquired from Anaheim prior to the 1997 campaign, helping San Francisco reach the post season four times during his tenure. An eleven-year Major League veteran, the first baseman suffered through a variety of leg ailments in 2003 and was limited to just 103 games, batting .273 with eight homers, 51 RBI and a .387 on-base percentage. The six-time Gold Glove winner was honored for his fielding excellence in each of his first four San Francisco campaigns, while he has compiled a .267 batting average with 179 doubles, 108 homers and 515 RBI in 958 games in a Giants uniform.

Young, acquired from Milwaukee on August 19 in exchange for minor league right-hander Greg Bruso, hit .197 with three RBI and three stolen bases in 26 games for the Giants. The 36-year-old veteran of 12 big league seasons owns a .285 lifetime average in 1,510 Major League contests with Los Angeles, Colorado, Chicago Cubs, the Brewers and Giants.

Rodriguez has emerged as one of the majors' premier short relievers since joining San Francisco prior to the 1999 campaign, logging a 31-14 mark with a 3.01 ERA (120er, 358.1ip) in 342 relief outings. The 30-year-old right-hander, who leads all big league relievers with 25 relief wins since Opening Day 2001, bounced back from early struggles in 2003 to post an 8-2 ledger with two saves and a 3.10 ERA (21er, 61.0ip) in 68 games.

[DK]

snow is a good fielder, although he can't hit... rodriguez is a monster.

[Pogotheostrich]

The option on Cruz was also declined.

The Giants declined their $4 million option on OF Jose Cruz Jr. for next season Oct. 22, making him eligible for free agency. Cruz, who will get a $300,000 buyout, started 151 games for the NL West champions, batting .250 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs.

[Madison]

The option on Cruz was also declined.

The Giants declined their $4 million option on OF Jose Cruz Jr. for next season Oct. 22, making him eligible for free agency. Cruz, who will get a $300,000 buyout, started 151 games for the NL West champions, batting .250 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs.

I don't blame them. It seems like Cruz will never live up to his potential.

[DK]

The option on Cruz was also declined.

The Giants declined their $4 million option on OF Jose Cruz Jr. for next season Oct. 22, making him eligible for free agency. Cruz, who will get a $300,000 buyout, started 151 games for the NL West champions, batting .250 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs.

it's too bad. wasted potential...well, i've talked about this before.