The Pittsburgh Pirates traded OF Travis Snider to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for a minor league prospect and a PTBNL.
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington told Rob Biertempfel of the Trib that the trade opens up some “payroll flexibility”.
#Pirates GM: “We have depth to sustain the loss. We’ve gained two quality players, created roster flexibility and some payroll flexibity.”
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) January 28, 2015
Biertempfel also reports HERE that it could lead to another possible substantial move in the future.
While the trade was a surprise, it had to be done to help alleviate the logjam at the position while locking down a spot on the opening day lineup card for Gregory Polanco.
Polanco started off strong after getting the call-up in June, but fell back to earth once pitchers were able to game plan against him — a normal occurrence for most rookies.
Polanco posted a slash line of .245/.307/.343 and a .650 OPS in 312 plate appearances with seven home runs, nine doubles and 33 RBI. He also recorded five outfield assists in 83 outfield appearances.
The trade opens up a spot on the active roster for either Jose Tabata or Andrew Lambo, who both spent time in front of the Clemente Wall last season.
Tabata — who is owed $4 million this season — spent most of 2014 at AAA Indianapolis and was DFA’d in October.
Prior to being demoted in June of 2014, Tabata posted a slash line of .289/.327/.331 and a .658 OPS with 14 RBI. He struck out only 22 times in 154 plate appearances which could help his case.
Lambo saw limited time as a September call-up making five early starts at right field before being used solely as a pinch hitter (5-15, .333). The organization likes his ability to hit for power as he has recorded an OPS of .905 or higher in his last three seasons in the minors.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
