Pirates Trade Brad Lincoln to Toronto for Outfielder Travis Snider

The Pirates got their corner outfielder just before the trade deadline. Only it wasn't Shane Victorino or Hunter Pence. Instead, Pittsburgh sent reliever Brad Lincoln to the Blue Jays for outfielder Travis Snider.

Snider was drafted in the first round by Toronto in 2006, the same year that Pittsiburgh drafted Lincoln. Snider is also three years younger and has the potential to be an everyday player. But that's just the problem. He has potential. The Pirates are in the midst of their first real pennant race in 20 years. You would think they would be bringing in guys with proven track records, like a Victorino. There is no track record with Snider; it's all potential. Potential is nice, but it can go either way.

However, because of the extra wild card that was added to the mix this season, it is a seller's market, and word around baseball from people in the know is that the teams that are selling are taking advantage of the market and asking for way too much. Evidently, the Phillies wanted a King's Ransom to part with Victorino, a free agent at the end of the season.

I guess I'm a bit pessimistic of the trade because of how successful the Pirates' bullpen has been this season. Lincoln had seemed to have found a role for himself as a middle reliever, and there was even talk of him moving into the role of closer if Hanrahan were to be traded either this year or next. I just hate to see a key cog to the 2012 team get traded away at the deadline. What message does that send?

But then again, as others have pointed out, Evan Meek was a dominant relief pitcher two years ago and even made the All-Star team. But now, because of arm trouble, he's barely on anyone's radar.

And maybe that's why Neal Huntington traded Lincoln away right now. His stock has never been higher, and with a history of arm trouble himself, you just never know when more physical problems might surface.

For what it's worth, everyone outside of Pittsburgh seems to love what the Pirates did. Word has it that the fans in Toronto are pretty livid over Snider getting away.

I guess we'll see what happens.