Waiting on the PTBNL in the Snider trade (with another note)

I'm told that the player to be named later in last night's Travis Snider trade with the Pirates won't be determined until spring training. That leaves plenty of time for fans to ask about the PTBNL in the Travis Snider trade. Let me remind everyone that there was no PTBNL in the Chad Bradford deal on Aug. 7, 2008. It was a cash transaction. But it's still fun to bring it up. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told reporters in Pittsburgh that the PTBNL will be similar to left-hander Stephen Tarpley. An Orioles official told me that he wasn't certain how Huntington defined "similar." He could be referencing the lower levels of the farm system or prospect status. I'm told that it could be a position player or pitcher. The sides didn't settle on one designation. The Orioles think Snider is a good fit for Camden Yards despite his career .146/.204/.208 slash line in 48 at-bats there. A left-handed pull hitter is better-suited for their ballpark than PNC Park in Pittsburgh. They also see a former first-round pick who put up strong numbers in the second half - .288/.356/.524 with nine of his 13 home runs - can hit left-handed pitching and may have been rushed to the majors by the Blue Jays in 2008. Snider played only 18 games at Triple-A Syracuse and returned to the minors every season. Snider is a career .309/.383/.525 hitter in parts of eight minor league seasons. As for comparisons with Colby Rasmus, another left-handed hitting outfielder pursued by the Orioles, they consider Snider a better fit in the clubhouse and someone who is headed in the right direction statistically. In case you missed it, check out this article from FanGraphs on the Snider trade and how he compares to right fielder Nick Markakis. You may find the projected numbers over 600 plate appearances to be of special interest. Snider: 27 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 124 strikeouts, .253 average, .734 OPS, 1.3 WAR Markakis: 26 doubles, one triple, 11 home run, 75 strikeouts, .266 average, .712 OPS, 1 WAR It's worth noting that Snider's career-high in the majors is 359 plate appearances last season. The Orioles are done searching for a left-handed hitting outfielder, but I was reminded today that they're always trying to improve their depth and want to add more pieces. Note: The Orioles will produce a new official legacy book entitled "Baltimore Orioles: 60 Years of Orioles Magic" to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Orioles baseball in Baltimore. Fans may secure their copy online through a pre-order at www.orioles.com/book, with the book scheduled to arrive in April. Season Plan Members who have been with the club for the past three seasons will receive a complimentary book in appreciation for their continued support of and dedication to the Orioles. Beginning with the return of Major League Baseball to Baltimore and encompassing the team's 2014 American League East Division title and postseason run, the book's contents capture the club's iconic moments across the past six decades. The book is highlighted by the writing of longtime Baltimore sportswriter Jim Henneman, a foreword written by Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, more than 300 photographs, including numerous never-before released images, and unique reprinted historical documents. Fans can guarantee their copy through an online preorder at www.orioles.com/book for $50, which also includes a voucher redeemable for two upper reserve tickets to one of several 2015 Orioles home games for all purchases made through Feb. 15. All Season Plan Members, including new 2015 Season Plan Members, can exclusively save 20 percent off of preorders by ordering through their My Orioles Tickets account for a limited time. Detailed instructions will be emailed to all Season Plan Members this week. The Orioles have named Jim Misudek as the club's Manager of Media Relations. He will begin his duties on Monday, Feb. 9, reporting to Kristen Hudak, Director of Public Relations. Misudek (pronounced MISH-yoo-deck) will coordinate all facets of the Orioles' media relations efforts. His primary responsibilities will include the creation of daily press notes, drafting press releases, producing the club's annual media guide, arranging interviews for players and staff, coordinating press conferences and press box operations, while serving as a media contact for the club in Baltimore, throughout spring training in Sarasota, and on team road trips during the season. The 2015 season will mark Misudek's 10th season in professional baseball. Prior to joining the Orioles' front office, Misudek spent the last five seasons with the Atlanta Braves as Media Relations Coordinator. Misudek also assisted Major League Baseball's public relations team by working the National League Championship Series in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Misudek, 31, began his baseball career as an intern with the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and spent two seasons (2007-08) with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2007, he was an intern in the Brewers media relations department and he spent 2008 as a sales representative while assisting with media relations duties. Prior to joining the Braves, Misudek served as an intern with the Cincinnati Reds media relations department in 2009.