Orioles acquire OF Travis Snider in trade with Pirates
The Baltimore Oriolesacquired outfielder Travis Snider in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
In exchange, the Orioles sent minor-league left-hander Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named to the Pirates. To make room for Snider on their 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Michael Ohlman for assignment.
Talks for a Snider trade began last month at the winter meetings in San Diego, reportsThe Baltimore Sun.
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The Orioles were search for another outfielder after losing Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz in free agency. Markakis signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Atlanta Braves and Cruz signed a four-year, $57 million deal with the Seattle Mariners.
Snider, who turns 27 next week, is a left-handed batter who hit .264 last season with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in a career-high 140 games with the Pirates. His .338 on-base percentage also tied his career high.
Snider was traded to the Pirates in 2012 from the Toronto Blue Jays, where he started his MLB career in 2008 at age 20. In 2009, he was considered a top-10 prospect by Baseball America.
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Earlier this Winter, Snider avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $2.1 million contract with the Pirates. He has another arbitration-eligible year before hitting free agency after the 2016 season.
Tarpley was the Orioles' third-round draft pick in 2011. He was slated to open the season at low-A Delmarva. With short-season Aberdeen last year -- his first professional season -- Tarpley went 3-5 with a 3.68 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). He will turn 22 next month.
Ohlman, 24, hit .236 with two home runs and 33 RBI in 113 games with Double-A Bowie last season.
- Mike Fiammetta
