Pirates Acquire Travis Snider of Blue Jays

The Pittsburgh Pirates, buyers at last year’s trade deadline and buyers this year, have pulled off a relatively

minor move.  They have acquired Travis Snider of the Blue Jays for Brad Lincoln.  Toronto is within reach of the final Wild Card slot in the American League, so both sides hope this trade can push them into the postseason.

Snider is a 24-year old left fielder.  He is hitting .250/.300/.556 in ten games for the Blue Jays this season.  In his career, Snider has played 242 games and has hit .248/.306/.429 in that span.

Lincoln, a 27-year old right-handed pitcher, is 4-2 this year with a 2.73 ERA.  He has started five games but was used primarily out of the bullpen.  He has one save on the year.

This may not be the (planned) huge impact trade the Pirates made last year when they acquired Ryan Ludwick, but Pittsburgh does not need much right now.  Their team, as it is made up now, is playing well.  Last year, they made trades and the team suddenly went 18-42 to finish the season.

Snider will give the Bucs some depth in the outfield and is very capable.  He is young too.  He won’t be a free agent until 2016.  His first arbitration-eligible year is next year.  What Pittsburgh gave up was a set-up man who had quite a bit of success this year.  However, the Pirates’ pitching staff is one of the best in the league.  The thinking is that they could afford to part with a bullpen arm to get some offensive depth.

Toronto is 51-51 and 4.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot.  Pittsburgh, a team that hasn’t finished over .500 since 1992, is 58-44, tied with Atlanta for the first Wild Card spot.

For more on the Pirates, be sure to check out Rum Bunter. 

For more on the Blue Jays, be sure to check out Jays Journal.