A talented pitcher who seemed very interesting a year ago has now worn out his welcome with a second team, as Ian Snell has been designated for assignment by the Mariners. In his place, the team has promoted 36 year old reliever Brian Sweeney from AAA Tacoma.
Ian Snell Runs Out Of Chances, Designated For Assignment By Mariners
Says Lookout Landing on the matter:
110.2 innings, 63 strikeouts, 64 walks. I think the most interesting thing we can take away from the Ian Snell Experience isn't that changes of scenery don't always work; it's that Snell went from a place where he was depressed to a place where he was much happier, and he still sucked. The big reason he held appeal a year ago was that he very clearly didn't want to be a part of the Pirates anymore, and was pitching like it. But the M's gave him a fresh start, and he failed. Implying (but not proving) that his mental condition wasn't the big problem. His big problem, it seems, is that he can't throw strikes, ever, and it turns out that can actually be a much more difficult problem to solve.
Still in his 20s and still capable of throwing 90+ with his fastball, Snell will probably get another chance somewhere else. His breakthrough 2007 campaign, however, seems more distant than ever.
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