Orioles discussed Matusz trade with Pirates

SAN DIEGO - As further proof that the Orioles are willing to move Brian Matusz if satisfied with the return, executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Pirates officials this week to discuss a deal that would have sent the left-handed reliever to Pittsburgh for outfielder Travis Snider. An industry source confirmed the meeting. The teams aren't on the verge of consummating a trade, but the sides talked and could continue discussions at a later date. The Orioles would like to leave the Winter Meetings with at least one outfielder. However, executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters a free agent signing is the most likely path. Snider, a left-handed hitting corner outfielder and the 14th overall selection of the Blue Jays in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, batted .264/.338/.438 with 15 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and 38 RBIs this season in 140 games. He turns 27 in February. Snider is a career .246/.310/.406 hitter in seven major league seasons. The Blue Jays traded him to the Pirates on July 30, 2012, for pitcher Brad Lincoln. The Pirates paid Snyder $1.2 million this year. He's not eligible for free agency until 2017. MLBTradeRumors.com projects Matusz to earn $2.7 million this season, and he has one more year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two before free agency following the 2016 season. He went 2-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 63 appearances. Left-handers hit .223 against him and right-handers hit .277. Taking another look at Matusz's second-half numbers, the left-hander posted a 1.42 ERA in 23 appearances with one home run allowed, four walks and 26 strikeouts over 19 innings. The Orioles are in the market for a left-handed and right-handed reliever, but Matusz brings value on the trade market due to his past experience as a starter and success against left-handed hitters, who own a .211/.267/.353 slash line against him.