Parra, Rockies agree to $27.5M, 3-year deal

The Rockies have agreed to terms with Parra on a three-year, $26 million contract, according to Wilmer Reina. MLB Network was the first to report the deal being agreed upon.

The speed has allowed Parra to be considered one of MLB’s best defensive outfielders, but FanGraphs’ estimates have shown Parra’s to have regressed the last two seasons. He joins a fleet of left-handed outfielders at Coors Feild as the subtext to this signing means it is likely either Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson or Carlos Gonzalez will be traded.

Depending on the Colorado Rockies’ free agent endeavors, the Los Angeles Angels could be a prime suitor for outfielder Charlie Blackmon. It’s evident that the Rockies would like to trade Gonzalez, but with his large contract it appears unlikely that they’ll be able to unload him on another team.

Parra has previous Major League Baseball experience with 3 teams.

One player that seems to now be pricing himself out of anyone’s reach is Wei-Yin Chen, whose demands are keeping the Baltimore Orioles from trying to re-sign him despite his form last season, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals, two teams with a bigger spending power, might be the only ones actually interested and capable of signing him under the current conditions.

Obviously, the headliner of the bunch is Gonzalez, who is a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger victor for the Rockies.

Parra is a left-handed hitting outfielder that will turn 29 in May. The Orioles are known to be locking for a left-hand bat with some pop. The Rockies will be seeking young team controlled starting pitching. The person says Colorado holds a club option for a fourth year at $12 million, but can buy out Parra for $1.5 million. Surprisingly, despite being arguably the most complete talent on the market and a fringe superstar as well as a clear 5 tool player, he’s received the least amount of interest (at least as far as any serious negotiations are concerned).

With players still left in free agency, and on the trading block, the final month of the offseason will be much more active than we’re accustomed to seeing. Regardless of how it happens look for Cespedes to sign soon.