BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates have formally extended a long-term contract offer to starter Ian Snell, a source close to the matter said last night.

No specifics of the offer were immediately known, but the team owns Snell's rights the next four seasons, and its focus is on establishing a potential cost savings through his three years of arbitration in 2009-11. That makes four years the likeliest term.

Management approached Snell and his representatives Tuesday to begin the process.