After being connected to multiple left-handed hitting outfielders throughout the off-season, the Baltimore Orioles finally made a move for one on Tuesday; finalizing a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Travis Snider.
Snider, a left-handed power hitting corner outfielder, had a bit of a breakout season in 2014. In 359 at-bats, the 26-year-old hit .264/.338/.438 with 15 doubles and 13 homeruns last season. Snider is also considered to be a good, but not great, defensive corner outfielder. The former highly ranked prospect will likely get the first chance in his career to become a full-time player with Baltimore.
When asked about Snider after the trade, Orioles’ executive vice president Dan Duquette painted a solid picture: “Snider is a solid, dependable power-hitting outfielder and is an excellent fit for Camden Yards. [He] should be a good addition to the club at bat and in the field.”
In exchange for Snider, the Orioles sent low-level minor league LHP Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later to the Pirates. Tarpley just finished his first season as a professional player, and he is a pitcher with some nice upside. That being said, his skills are very raw, and Tarpley is a long ways before considered a top-level prospect. The PTBNL is expected to be another low minor league prospect.
After widely being connected to left-handed hitting outfielders like Colby Rasmus, Nori Aoki and Ichiro Suzuki throughout the off-season, the Orioles did a nice job in filling their biggest need without giving up major pieces on their roster. Snider is a solid player with some nice upside who will instantly become a strong piece for the Orioles.