Orioles trying again to acquire Snider from Pirates

The Orioles are getting closer to acquiring outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates, according to multiple sources. One source said the sides rekindled talks a few weeks ago. Another source indicated that the Orioles are trying to limit the return to one minor leaguer. The player going to the Pirates at this stage wouldn't be on the 40-man roster and most likely would be a lower-level pitcher. The Orioles discussed Snider with the Pirates at the Winter Meetings in San Diego and left-hander Brian Matusz was included in the talks. However, he wouldn't be part of this deal. Snider would give the Orioles another left-handed hitting outfielder. They signed Chris Parmelee to a minor league deal yesterday but it didn't end their search. Snider, who turns 27 on Feb. 2, is a career .246/.310/.406 hitter in parts of seven major league seasons. He batted .264/.338/.438 with 15 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in 140 games last season. The Blue Jays made Snider the 14th overall pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft and he played five seasons with Toronto before being traded to the Pirates on July 30, 2012 for pitcher Brad Lincoln. The Orioles have been seeking another left-handed hitting outfielder and weren't able to sign free agent Colby Rasmus, who turned down their one-year offer - believed to be worth $7 million - and agreed to terms with the Astros. They had limited interest in Nori Aoki and Ichiro Suzuki. The roster currently includes left-handed hitters Alejandro De Aza and David Lough. De Aza is projected as the starting left fielder. Snider has played 236 games in right and 222 in left during his major league career. Snider is a career .245/.312/.408 hitter against right-handers and a .249/.299/.399 hitter against left-handers. Snider will be paid $2.1 million this season and can't become a free agent until 2017. The Sun first reported that the Orioles were closing in on a deal.