The Giants have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra, reports Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (Twitter link). The Octagon client will head to Major League Spring Training in hopes of earning a spot on San Francisco’s Opening Day roster. If he can, Parra would earn a $1.75MM salary, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link), with $250K in incentives tied to plate appearances.
Parra, 31, wrapped up a three-year, $27.5MM with the division-rival Rockies in 2018 — one that did not pay the dividends the Colorado organization had hoped when signing Parra in the 2015-16 offseason. During his three years with the Rox, Parra posted a .283/.320/.407 slash that looks solid on the surface but checked in well south of the league average when adjusting for park and league. Weighted metrics such as OPS+ (82) and wRC+ (77) felt that Parra’s bat was anywhere from 18 to 23 percent worse than that of an average-hitter over that span. And last season, Parra turned in the least-powerful campaign of his 10-year Major League career (six homers, 17 doubles, no triples, .087 ISO in 443 plate appearances).
Defensively speaking, Parra has a steady track record as a quality corner glove. Though defensive metrics weren’t kind to him in his first year with Colorado, that season now looks anomalous in nature. Parra tallied +11 Defensive Runs Saved and a 10.2 Ultimate Zone Rating from 2017-18. Statcast pegged him as a roughly scratch defender in that time (+1 outs above average).
Overall, Parra is a useful defender in the outfield corners — one who has long shown solid contact skills and managed to get on base at a respectable clip, as evidenced by a career .278/.325/.405 slash. All of that offensive output has come while playing his home games in a hitter-friendly setting (Diamondbacks, Orioles, Rockies, Brewers), but with a career strikeout rate of just 17 percent, Parra undeniably has quality bat-to-ball skills that could help him to earn a spot in a currently barren Giants outfield mix.
Young Steven Duggar is returning from shoulder surgery and will hope to lay claim to regular center field duties at the newly renamed Oracle Park, but he didn’t hit especially well in his rookie debut last season. Depending on the health of his shoulder and his early production, it’s certainly possible that he’d still need some further development. Beyond Duggar are Austin Slater, Chris Shaw and the out-of-options Mac Williamson — none of whom has solidified himself as a big league regular.
Of course, the potential for a radical shift in the Giants’ outfield mix still looms large, with the team recently reported to be in the mix for Bryce Harper. Certainly, adding Parra on a non-guaranteed deal does nothing to lessen the Giants’ chances of landing Harper, though ultimately signing Harper would obviously hinder Parra’s chances of cracking the roster in San Francisco.
I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make the opening day roster for SF
good signing.
He’s the best hitter on the team. Lol.
coming from a guy whose name is left, am I right??
I’m a left coaster in his right mind.
When teams are picked you are LEFT OUT,no different here
This coming from yet another fan who celebrates cheating.
He’s not left he’s actually right
Another minor league contract. Hmm, possibly making way for a larger contract to come sometime…
Vets who have been worth -1.1 fWAR collectively the last 3 years should be getting MILB deals.
Aside from salary, how are minor league contracts different from major league contracts?
Minor League contracts do not require teams to place the player on the 40-man roster. Major League contracts do. Since the Giants do not have an open spot on their 40-man roster, they can invite Parra to camp and watch him. If he looks like a player who can help, the Giants can move a player off the 40-man roster (designate him for assignment) and add Parra.
Sad new for Harper
Sadly will lead team in OPS and SB.
boo – no he wont. Bryce will have at least an .999 OPS and 5 +/- 2 Splash Hits (which count for 8 instead of 4 for HRs in OPS).
True
Maybe, but hopefully not for the Giants
One more smart, bounce-back signing by Zaidi that can yield something of longer-term value at the deadline.
Gerardo ain’t bouncin’ anywhere. Nice guy though.
let’s revisit your view at the deadline.
Here’s your veteran outfielder, Giants fans!! Good player.
And this is coming from Padres fan.
Zero to complain about here, other than the fact that your best outfielder on the entire roster just came via a minor league deal on the day that pitchers and catchers report.
As powerful as a parra deuces.
Giants Zips released today … that outfield tho. Every spot under 1 WAR. Ugh. link to blogs.fangraphs.com
Pretty easy to outperform that huh?
There just projections. It is not etched in stone.
Good call. They actually could end up being worse.
…And, they could be better. Since none of them have played a full season on the big league level, it is quite possible they could be much better.
A couple of golden gloves in his trophy case. But I would be surprised if he turned in a league average performance at the plate.
Smart signing
Instead of Harper. . .
Better than Harper!
They can still sign Harper lol
Smart signing more for Parra than the Giants. Easiest path to making team and playing time so far.
I love this guy. I mean he does nothing in terms of power but he is one streaky hitter and when he’s locked in, good luck getting him out. Always a sneaky fantasy add/drop guy.
Okay signing. No risk MiLB contract, with the potential for him to contribute as a utility guy.
Meh…..Gregor, part 2. another cog added to the equation. Won’t hurt, just like the other OF adds and 1 is bound to pan out. Fully expect a bigger OF free agent signing relatively soon. Heading in the right direction with the moves thus far, low/no risk with a lot of potential reward!
Exactly what I was thinking. Gregor Blanco wasn’t available (Mets), so Zaidi landed his clone albeit one who can actually hit better than the original.
The similarities are not even close.
Great signing if it’s to be the 4th or 5th outfielder. Can play alright defense, hit right handed pitching, and provide veteran depth. Seems like he has always played well vs. the Giants.
With these adds, it makes me feel like all these tweeners in the organization are going to be DFA’d. Let’s just say we sign a free agent everyday RF…That means 2 more starters and 2 bench spots available. Duggar has one of those spots, and I’d assume Parra gets 1 of the remaining spots, so that leaves 2 spots for Williamson, Slater, Shaw, Andreoli, Ferguson, Gerber, and whoever else they add.
I hope Zaidi knows what he’s doing lol. Perhaps a trade package of recent minor league signings to get a prospect or two lol
As a fan that went from spending my childhood freezing in Candlestick to seeing 3 WS titles, I am okay with waiting to see where Zaidi can take this franchise. Para is obviously apart of building organizational depth at every level.
Parra certainly chose the right team to sign with.
I’ve wanted them to sign him for the last 10 years, it’s about time lol
Two reasons this is a good signing, besides not costing much….
1) Parra has shown he can hit outside Coors.
2) Really good against RHP
Keep him away from lefties and he’s fine.
100% agree, but they are sooooo thin in RH Hitters it’s crazy. They want Harper, another lefty, to go along with Belt, Panik, Crawford, Duggar, Shaw, Hansen, Sandoval, Vogt, and now Parra.
My guess is he platoons with Slater?
Gerardo Parra is a gold glove winner! Nice pick up…
Surprised he didn’t get a big league contract. I would be stunned if he’s not in their starting OF.
The Indians weren’t interested in a minor league deal with Parra. They may have the worst outfield in baseball.
I’d rather have the Indians OF than the Giants… sigh…
Them or the team that actually signed parra.
The World Championship run all started with drafting Cain with the #25 pick in the 1st round in 2002. Bart is Posey. 7 more years to go.
You guys are going to be disappointed when Bart does not live up to the ridiculous hype of being the next Posey.
Will you admit when you are wrong?
Sure. When Bart is the best hitter on championship teams, an MVP/batting title and a perrenial all star/HOF i will admit i was wrong. Just because he tore up rookie ball at 21 dont make him Posey
You are confusing me here. Bart will be a free agent in 7 years…
Saying Bart is the next Posey is unfair to him. We have been lucky to have consistency behind the plate. Posey is vying for the HOF. MLB Network just voted him a top 10 player of the decade. He will be remembered as one of the best all around catchers the game has seen.
As for Bart, he has tools to be very good. It’s rare when you can find a catcher with a middle of the order type bat. I am still curious to see him catch an entire season and see how he handles the workload behind the plate. Does he improve defensively? Does he wear down towards the end of the year. One thing all giants fans have learned, it’s hard having your best hitter be your catcher, fatigue will catch up to him and slow him down at some point. 4 of the last 5 seasons, Posey numbers have declined in the second half.
If I could hear a Dollar amount I could say better but for a minor-league signing it seems like the giants have finally found a good money for performance ratio. I have always wanted this guy on my team hopefully the age is not too late.
I’m with you trim✅
I do not like Zaidi one bit.
This where Parra belongs. In the minors. He has always been a below average player. What Am I talking about. He is below the height average.
He’ll be the Giants’ best outfielder
Good signing for the Giants. Parra can start or fill a reserve role. Good defender who can also pinch hit. Lots of experience with a sparkplug fiery attitude.
Parra may actually be older than 31, maybe 35 or so…local tradition
Parra, Harper and Bonds in the outfield.