The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired outfielder Travis Snider from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-hander Brad Lincoln.
The 24-year-old Snider was Toronto’s first round selection in the 2006 First Year Player Draft and made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays in 2008.
The left-handed hitter entered tonight’s action with a.235 average, three homers and eight RBI in nine games with Toronto. In 61 games with Triple-A Las Vegas, Snider hit .335 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 57 RBI.
UPDATE FROM TIM: Travis Snider will have four years of control remaining beyond the 2012 season. One of those years (2013) will likely be a league minimum year. He entered the 2012 season with two years and 15 days of service time, and stayed in Triple-A until June 20th. Snider hit in a very hitter friendly atmosphere in Triple-A, but carried his hitting to the majors, with a .235 average and an .829 OPS in 34 at-bats since being called up. What’s encouraging is that all three of his homers came against left-handers. Prior to this year, the left-handed hitter struggled against left-handers more than he did against right-handers.
