The Rockies have officially announced a three-year, $27.5MM deal with outfielder Gerardo Parra. The contract includes a club option for a fourth year at $12MM, which comes with a $1.5MM buyout.
Parra, a client of Octagon, will earn $26MM over the first three years of the deal. He gets $8MM for the coming season, $8MM again in 2017, and then $10MM in the final season.
In Parra, who’ll turn 29 early in the season, the Rox will pick up a young, athletic player whose performance has been somewhat difficult to judge. As I explained in late August of last year, a huge first-half performance (combined with his age) made a four-year guarantee and/or ten-plus-million AAV seem plausible at one point.
But Parra tailed off down the stretch, ending the year with a .291/.328/.452 slash. That’s still good, of course, but is hardly the breakout that had seemed in the offing as of late summer. And he’s been more of an average to slightly-below-average offensive producer for most of his career. It’s worth noting, too, that the left-handed-hitting Parra has also tended to carry significant platoon splits.
It’s at least as hard to peg Parra from a defensive perspective. He became something of a sabermetric darling back in 2013, when he turned in a monster year with the glove (29.5 UZR, 41 DRS). That had followed several years of above-average metrics, seeming to suggest that Parra was one of the game’s best corner outfielders (if not also a good center fielder as well). But both of those major defensive rating systems have identified a significant drop-off in each of the last two seasons, with Parra rating as a well-below-average performer last season.
Ultimately, the contract comes in just shy of the three-year, $27MM prediction made by MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes before the hot stove kicked into gear this winter. While Parra always seemed to occupy a nice niche in this market, drawing wide appeal with his sturdy reputation and lower price tag, it is still notable that he was able to meet expectations despite the fact that the position-player market has been slow to develop.
Obviously, it’s an interesting strategy for Colorado to pursue, as the team could certainly have relied on its in-house options for the coming season. Parra will join a depth chart that already features left-handed-hitting outfielders Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, and Corey Dickerson, possibly suggesting that one of those players could end up on the move. Certainly, it’s not a minor signing for this organization, which hadn’t given out a deal of this magnitude since the pre-2012 Michael Cuddyer contract.
Signing a replacement for one of the team’s incumbent bats, in concert with a trade to acquire pitching, has long seemed an intriguing possibility, and it could be that GM Jeff Bridich is employing just such an approach here. He addressed that general concept in a recent interview on the MLBTR Podcast (at about the 13-minute mark), saying that it could be “part of a strategy” but noting that it’s still “incumbent upon us to know when a good baseball trade is a good baseball trade” — regardless of which direction the pitchers and position players were headed.
Wilmer Reina of Diario la Verdad (Twitter links) and Jon Heyman (via Twitter) first reported the signing and its essential terms. Ken Rosenthal added the annual breakdown on Twitter.
You need pitching Rockies! No big free agent starters will ever sign in Colorado though. I feel bad for them, they needed Chen more than the Marlins. I’m an Angels fan I hope we trade for Cargo, Blackmon, or Dickerson, now that Parra has signed with Colorado.
Actually, the Rockies offense kind of stunk last year too. Way too aggressive, fewest walks in baseball. That just killed them on the road.
But this is the only way they have of getting pitching talent. So more power to them.
I hope white sox trade for blackmon give the rockies Courtney Hawkins and Tyler Danish
Nope.
The Rockies would want way more than that in return for Charlie Blackmon, including somebody who might be able to play CF on opening day in his stead.
I am curious to see how he fairs in the NL west considering his splits against lefties.and the really left handed heavy division (for god sake the dodgers only have one righty who *may* be healthy
Great point!
Parra spent virtually his whole career in the NL West.
yes but the division has changed since he left
You’re over-estimating the left handed pitching situation. Outside the Dodgers, which is why the division is so left handed starter rich, its much more league normal. San Diego has 0 lefty starters, the Giants have 1 and the Diamond Backs have two.
Only the Rockies used 3 left handed starters and even that has to be kept within the perspective that the Rockies experimented with 11 different starters. But then, he doesn’t have to worry about Rockies pitching, now does he..not that anyone ever does.
yeah but if maeda doesn’t pan out – you are looking at either sitting him down or hitting against lefties for a pretty major chunk of the season against the dodgers alone. I wouldn’t be surprised if the preference of span over para has a lot to do with those splits. Also the southpaws that you are looking at are all pretty shut down, greinke, bumgarner, kershaw, kazmir., etc…. not just lefties but a lot of shut – down lefties
Greinke…shut down, yes. Southpaw…not so much. (lol)
Is it wise to make this signing without having a deal in place for Gonzalez, Blackmon or Dickerson? I guess we will find out if they did or not with how badly they burned in those potential trade(s).
Yes it is wise because it removes a back up option for teams not willing to meet the Rockies asking price. They can always move Dickerson to first (has been discussed) and have a Parra/Blackmon/CarGo outfield and just not trade anyone until the deadline. Now the Angels or White Sox or whomever else will have to pony up whatever the Rox want or go sign Fowler and lose a 1st.
I believe the White Sox are still holding out hope that they can sign FA Yoenis Cespedes at a discounted price from his original demands without the qualifying offer attached that Dexter Fowler comes with. They also have many more trade options than just those with the Rockies, depending on how much pitching they are willing to part with in any deal.
I agree that there are more options for suitors and it is a very risky move IF the goal is to trade one of the current outfielders. However, big time risks sometimes pay off with big time rewards. The state of the Rockies right now says that big risks are okay because they are unlikely to do much this year anyway.
I hope the angels can make a trade for Blackmon or Dickerson
Should be fun to see who gets traded. Still holding out a little hope the Giants will try to get either CarGo or Blackmon and just dump Pagan on the scrap heap.
don’t think that would happen
Probably not but one can still dream.
giants are pat for major moves I would think –
I would too, but if they could upgrade left field via trade and do something (I don’t care what) to get rid of Pagan that would put the finishing touches on a nice offseason.
Now the Angels should trade for Blackmon!
Get it done Eppler… for any one of Blackmon, Dickerson, or CarGo. Any of them represent an upgrade, at least offensively.
As an angels fan , I agree. they keep saying all the angels would have to give up is Tropeano and Bedrosion.
I can live with that
So can I , I would hope that blackmon would pan out well
Id prefer getting rid Santiago instead.
I think Santiago can be more durable, but they keep saying Tropeano
If that’s the case, then I don’t see how he’s still in Denver. That’s not very much to give up, and I would think that with all the teams in outfield search, this price for a talented and controllable outfielder like Blackmon would have already been met. Free agent depth could be throwing a wrench in things, though.
I’m not an angels fan, but with all the power they have at other positions, i’d take the LF’s they have now. Nava has a .377OBP vs RHP and Gentry has a .356 OBP against LHP. Put them in the 2 hole and let trout, pujols, calhoun and cron rake em in.
Rockies make no sense, they have 4 lefty OF’s n facing a division rival team with like 6 left handed pitchers. They themselves have no Starting pitchers that can compete in that division. They have no right handed OF at all. Their hitting is always good every year yet they don’t sign a decent pitcher, and then trade for another decent starter. The GM needs to be reevaluated with the cheapskate owner as well.
They can’t just go sign free agent pitching, no pitcher is going to Colorado by choice. If Colorado turns their surplus of OF into a good SP, seems like a very smart move.
I *assume* the idea is to get someone back they need in a trade prolly either cargo or blackmon for a pitching piece -maybe with the indians?
What does it matter if all OF is LH if they don’t bat back to back to back?
Having four LHH OFs pretty clearly sets them up for a trade. If you’re the Rockies, signing a good pitcher isn’t easy. No starters want to go there, so they’d be forced to drastically overpay in a market that already awards extremely high-risk salaries to competent starting pitchers.
Jeff Bridich is in his second year on the job and has already convinced Monfort to green light a Tulo trade, and he’s now poised to deal from a strength in an attempt to add more pitching.
Rockies ownership has earned quite a bit of flak with how the team has been operated, but there’s no reason to dump on Bridich for creating an outfield surplus unless CarGo, Blackmon and Dickerson are all on then Opening Day roster alongside Parra, which seems unlikely.
Having four LHH OFs pretty clearly sets them up for a trade. If you’re the Rockies, signing a good pitcher isn’t easy. No starters want to go there, so they’d be forced to drastically overpay in a market that already awards extremely high-risk salaries to competent starting pitchers.
Jeff Bridich is in his second year on the job and has already convinced Monfort to green light a Tulo trade, and he’s now poised to deal from a strength in an attempt to add more pitching.
Rockies ownership has earned quite a bit of flak with how the team has been operated, but there’s no reason to dump on Bridich for creating an outfield surplus unless CarGo, Blackmon and Dickerson are all on then Opening Day roster alongside Parra, which seems pretty unlikely.
Any smart observer will realize that you can’t just insert any pitcher into Coors Field. The guy either has to be a strikeout or groundball pitcher as flyballs will result in XBHs. And just because they have four LH outfielders doesn’t mean that’s bad. I don’t know their splits but it is possible to hit well against same handed pitchers. If it was impossible then every team would need a platoon partner for every hitter.
This seems like a scenario where the White Sox get involved in a CarGo deal. If there’s any truth behind the ‘not willing to go beyond three years with a FA’, CarGo’s two years at $40 mil might be a real consideration for Hahn/Williams
CarGo is unlikely to be going anywhere now that Parra has been signed. He and Parra were childhood friends and the Monforts love to have that kind of bond on the team. That’s why they kept Jason Giambi was around for so long, because he and Tulo were best buddies,
I see one of two scenarios happening. Either Blackmon/Dickerson is traded OR Dickerson is moved to 1st base and they go with Parra/Blackmon/CarGo in the OF. Which wouldn’t be all that bad to be honest..
The White Sox and Rockies would certainly be a match with Colorado possessing left-handed hitting OF’s and the White Sox depth residing in pitching system wide.
That being said, the prudent thing would be for the White Sox to work out some sort of FA contract with Yoenis Cespedes that would meet their financial “constraints” while also satisfying the player, perhaps a deal with less money up front and a player opt-out in place after 2 seasons. There is no qualifying offer hanging over Cespedes so any contract would simply be about the money.
The $17M and $20M still owed “Cargo” over the next two season, along with the return in assets the Rockies might demand back would seem excessive from the standpoint of Chicago, unless the Rockies were willing to eat some dollars in the process. If I were the the White Sox GM, I would also nix any deal that might involve pitchers Carlos Rodon and Carson Fulmer, probably even Spencer Adams.
I’m confused they already have 3 lefty OF’S? I know they could trade 1 of cargo or Blackmon but no rh bat n still no pitching they should of signed a pitcher n trade Blackmon for another SP
and they have dahl coming up, who’s… another LH CF. something’s gotta give here
still, it’s hard to blame them. easy to say “they need pitching, they should sign pitching” but if you were a pitcher would you sign there? they have to bring in the talent they can sign and then use trades to force pitchers to come to their party. so it kind of makes sense.
okay so the Halos missed out on Span and now Parra. We better make a trade for Blackmon. We need a leadoff hitter, LF and lefty bat to be in contention.
The Rockies may have signed Parra just to get the price to go up on Blackmon and/or Dickerson. Now the Angels might give up Heaney or they can sign Fowler and give up a 1st. It’s a great idea if it works. If not, well we will just cross that bridge when we come to it.
Nice conspiracy theory but I doubt a team would risk signing a player to a contract worth tens of millions just so it would force another team to deal with them. Heaney is worth way more than a crap shoot first round pick that they would give up in signing Fowler. A few years ago draft picks were an afterthought with many teams and most fans. Now that has completely reversed and fans seem to think every draft pick will net them a TOR arm or a middle of the order bat. If that was the case there would only be a few rounds to every draft similar to basketball. Not the 20 something rounds in modern baseball.
Yeah I’m not 20 something, but thanks for shaving some years off for me. A few years back, prospects were just that…prospects. If a guy dominated AA or the Japanese League or the AFL or whatever else, no one assumed he could do it in the majors until he did it in the majors. In fact, the Angels got him for Howie Kendrick, so how valuable is he really? Heaney is not a proven major leaguer. He was decent in his rookie year, but far from a superstar. BTW, there are 40 rounds in the MLB Draft.
Well crap I just re-read your comment and I guess you didnt call me 20-something. Wishful thinking I guess.
I disagree
They will contend as constructed
Good joke.
No. They really won’t.
I think they will contend but It will be tough for them to try and win 85-92 games, a lot of things would have to go right for them
They need both a leadoff hitter and a middle of the order bat to protect trout with pujols starting on the dl
Rockies have today of LH outfielders. Even if one is traded, this make no sense
Have to imagine the Angels, White Sox, and Indians all picked up the phone when this deal went through. Logically it would make sense with Blackmon to LA or Cargo to the White Sox or Indians. Gut feeling it’s Blackmon to the Angels though
Blackmon or Dickerson would fit perfect for the angels, If the white sox are looking for an outfielder where they don’t want to go over three years, possible they get cargo
the angels have to make a move
I don’t believe the Rockies would have signed another left-handed hitting OF like Gerardo Parra unless a deal with another team was already in place or close to happening. The “other shoe should drop” very shortly.
Still not believing that the Cardinals will trade for one of their outfielders, even after Colorado signed Parra.
Come on, Angels. Jump all over this.
they need to, because I am not sold on Gentry or Nava
I’m happy with either Gentry or Nava (or both if need be) as backups. But to go into the season saying these guys are platoon starters? It’s simply not competitive.
Small moves like this is what won them the 2002 world series but its not enough protection for trout and pujols
I like Nava a whole lot more than Gentry myself
Do you think they were better off picking up Murphy’s opting?
Absolutely not on Murphy. Murphy is declining and $7 mil was too much. But this jury-rigged platoon nonsense is doing nothing for the much-needed offense.
they really need to get Cespedes, or just trade for blackmon
Do you think the platoon of Gentry/Nava will be worse/same/better (even if slightly)then the collective players last season in LF?
I kinda hope it will be better, but maybe they don’t do nothing and keep this platoon all season. And then next year they sign josh reddick
Sadly…better.
how will not be a good platoon? They could combine to get on base at a .360 clip. If i’m not mistaken, the angels were pretty low overall in OBP last year
As long as they are healthy, I think they made these small moves to make a big move next year to maybe sign Reddick
I could see the Rockies and Brewers making a swap. Wily Peralta has the kind of hard sinker that might play well in Colorado and Blackmon is a guy that if he proves he can hit enough outside of Coors could actually increase his value. Brewers are lacking lefty hitters and don’t have a proven CF on the roster. Both guys are entering their first arby years.. Dealing Peralta frees up room for Brewers to look at young starters like Lopez, Davies, etc and they’d see Blackmon as a flip candidate a year from now.
Not a bad idea.
I wouldn’t do that if i was COL. I’d want jimmy nelson at least. big time ground ball guy
Ground ball guys are not an absolute necessity in Coors. They have been trying that for 10+ years and it hasn’t worked yet. The park doesn’t give up nearly as many homers as people think. It is a doubles and triples park. You can get those with ground balls just as easily as fly balls if you hit them in the right places. They need strikeout pitchers.
Indians make a good trade partner if they can go after carrasco. Also a big time GB guy
Strange as it may sound, I think the Rockies would prefer prospects to Carrasco. They need volume of good arms, not one very good one.
I agree with that, and disagree with that. They need both, but they need an anchor more. lyles, gray, butler, matzek are already pitching in the majors and need some seasoning. they’ve got hoffman nikorak and freeland in the farm. they’ve got a 3 year window with the current core all in tact. out of 7 prospects a couple will be good. add carrasco to that and it starts to shape up.
The rox (who I have a soft spot for) have a pretty flimsy core. Arenado and dj are nice pieces and Dickerson is a nice player too and they are in that 22-27 year old range. Problem is that they have zero pitching.
Quite often when a teams “core” is discussed, it’s almost purely an offensive capability discussion. Example: the Yankees core 4 and the 2004 Phillies (utley, Howard, Rollins, and Ruiz – I never completely understood Ruiz as an inclusion but philly fans are philly fans). What is often left out of the discussion is the pitching those teams had – the core 4 had Messina and pettite and the Phils need no explaination.
Solid cores are not developed in 2-3 years. The royals are currently the best example. They just solidified that core 2 years ago. And it could be argued that that process began with drafting Alex Gordon in 05, drafting moose in 07 and hosmer in 08. Signing Perez in 06. And really only started to fill out with the haul from the grienke trade in 10. That’s ten years of solid moves and things going your way.
Now let’s look at the rox – the tulo trade was a great start, got the pitching prospects the rox need. I’m high on hoff as a TOR guy. Gray was a solid draft pick potential of a 1-2 type and a floor of a 4-5. (although I’m not sold on him based on the eye test). Dahl is developing nicely. There is still a lot of work to do. I figure the rox are 5-7 years from being a real threat. They need to hit on another pitcher and a position player with trades of cargo and Blackmon – that’s gonna be a lot to ask. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to dip a toe into the international market and get a pitching coach that can get some missed bats…
I’d like to see Cargo come to St Louis
So would I. However, the Cardinals arent willing to meet Colorado’s demands for prospects
Marco Gonzalez, Alex Reyes, and Matt Adams would get it done. Id so go for it.
Reyes is an overpay. I thought that was explained the first 10 times you proposed this.
hahahaha wonderful
Why Can’t the Royals Get CarGo?? He is a good fit, they have the pieces and the budget, I’m a die hard royals fan, idk why they haven’t made a move to get a good power hitting RF, they could use a LH bat in RF, Dyson and Orlando aren’t good, they need a guy like CarGo or Jay Bruce to be in that outfield with Cain and Gordo, can someone else give me thier opinion on this? I think it’s a good idea.
I’d consider an offer of Zimmer, Starling, and Blewett. I mean who wouldn’t a pitcher with the last name of Blewett? He’s right up there with Bob Walk and Grant Balfour in the unfortunate pitcher names department.
Jay Bruce?
Why would the Royals possibly want to trade any assets for a declining power hitting, defensively challenged corner OF who comes from a team with with a smaller “hitter-friendly” home venue and insert him into the more spacious park in Kansas City?
Not saying that Charlie Blackmon is an elite defender in CF, but who exactly from among Carlos Gonzalez, Corey Dickerson or Gerardo Parra becomes the Rockies starter in the middle of their OF should CB be traded?
It seems to me they would need a contingency plan in order to trade Blackmon, either with another CF coming back in some deal or by signing another FA like former Rox Dexter Fowler.