News/views: Pirates send Snider to O’s … why?

Travis Snider rounds the bases after a home run in Atlanta in September. — GETTY

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: The Pirates just traded outfielder Travis Snider to the Orioles for pitching prospect Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later.

Views: Um, why?

No offense to Tarpley, a 21-year-old left-hander who might well have a fine future, but he’s nothing special. His 2014 saw a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts at the short-season Class A level, as well as a .279 opponents’ batting average, 60 strikeouts and 24 walks in 66 innings. That’s not going to turn many heads, much less turn over a purported contending roster.