Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Travis Snider To Baltimore Orioles
Sep 28, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder
Travis Snider(23) warms up on deck at the beginning of a game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
The Pirates have confirmed that they have traded outfielder Travis Snider to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for left-handed reliever Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later.
“We didn’t plan or intend to move him (Snider),” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement. “We feel we have enough depth the sustain the loss. We’ve gained two quality players, we’ve created roster flexibility, and we’ve created some payroll flexibility.”
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Snider told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he had heard rumors for a while and was waiting for a potential phone call, but the trade gave him a whirlwind of emotions.
“It’s bittersweet,” Snider said. “It’s an opportunity for Pirates to move forward with their future and an opportunity for me as well.”
Snider departs Pittsburgh after posting career bests with 140 games played, 38 runs batted in and a 2.1 WAR. Snider was given a final chance with the Pirates when Jose Tabata was out-righted off the 40 man roster on June 24 this past season. All Snider did was become starting right fielder after Gregory Polanco had his inconsistencies.
When Snider did not start, he was the first hitter off the bench which led to him leading the team in pinch hits. In July, Snider was a .393 hitter and had an OPS of 1.202. Snider had a .880 OPS in the second half of the 2014 season.
“Snider is a solid dependable power-hitting outfielder and is an excellent fit for Camden Yards,” said Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette in a statement. “[He] should be a good addition to the club at bat and in the field.”
Stephen Tarpley is a 6-1 180 pound left-handed pitcher that threw at Short-A Aberdeen last season. Tarpley, posted a 3-5 record and 3.17 ERA in Aberdeen. Tarpley was drafted in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft and was rated as the Orioles ninth best prospect according to Baseball Prospectus.
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Tarpley struggled out of the gates in 2014 posting a 7.98 ERA while allowing an opposing batting average against of .344 through his first four appearances.
“It was more the fact that I was trying, instead of just doing,” Tarpley said to Craig Forde in an article published on milb.com “I wasn’t just letting myself do what I naturally do on the mound. I tried to make something work and didn’t quite get the results I wanted, so I got frustrated and missed more spots.”
Tarpley had a strong finish to his season allowing one earned run in 15 innings while striking out 18 batters.
“Every time I’m getting on the mound I’m feeling more confident,” said Tarpley. “I’m just looking to keep improving, continue to put up good numbers and figure out a routine I can take into next Spring Training.”
My take: It is hard to gauge these numbers because they are short-A numbers, however Tarpley could represent a high strike out pitcher. Not much to be made of the PTBNL until that information is divulged. The Pirates are showing a lot of trust in Andrew Lambo is this really has been a long time coming. I was hoping for this last season but it was not until September when he finally got a look.
In his career Lambo has a .246 batting average and of his 39 at-bats at the major league level, none have come against left-handed pitching which is a concern. That being said this again is a case of the Pirates not giving Lambo a chance. Now with this trade, they will see what they from the man who had 32 home runs and 99 RBI during the 2013 minor league season.
If any of the “speed outfield” of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Polanco are ineffective or injured then Lambo will be the first line of defense. I am confident that Lambo is ready for the next step, and so are the Pirates although it is a shame that Snider was traded after a great 2014 season.
They said it:
“Leaving a tremendous organization, fan base, teammates, and coaching staff. But with change comes new beginnings. An exciting opportunity. Looking forward to joining a winning organization and earning whatever is given. Always loved the city. New chapter starts today!” – Travis Snider on Twitter
“@Lunchboxhero45 was one of the guys who helped me most when I came up last year good luck in BAL #hermano #classact” – Gregory Polanco on Twitter