MLB Trade Rumors: Gerardo Parra, Rockies Finalize Three-Year Deal
Venezuelan outfielder Gerardo Parra will be playing for his fourth team after entering the league in 2009, and this time it will be for the Colorado Rockies. The team officially announced that they have given Parra a $27.5 million contract for three years.
Since Colorado's roster was already full before Parra's entrance, the team had to relegate first round draft pick Kyle Parker for assignment. The 26th pick of the 2010 Draft played in 64 games for the Rockies, hitting .182, highlighted by three home runs and 12 RBIs.
The 28-year-old Parra will certainly be providing the Colorado Rockies that much-needed improvement in their outfield. Likewise, he is interestingly the fourth left-hander in the outfielder position for the team. Now the question is will general manager Jeff Bridich think about trading another outfielder? If he does, it actually makes sense for two reasons. One, the team has a surplus of outfielders. Two, they lack some depth in pitching, which literally translates to trading for one.
But Bridich seems to be unresolved to that idea. "I know it's popular to expect a trade, but it's tough to put odds on it right now," he said.
The signing of Parra gives more possibility about earlier rumors becoming true. It has been speculated for weeks now that Corey Dickerson or Charlie Blackmon will be traded. There's no official word on that yet, but it may be the wisest thing to do right now after they made a deal to bring Parra in.
Parra has a career hitting average of .277, in the process winning Gold Glove twice. The contract he signed means he is slated to make $8 million this season and the next and $10 million in 2018. The deal also stipulates that there will be a club option worth $10 million in 2019. If the parties decide on a buyout, it would mean Parra will be paid $1.5 million.
