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The Cincinnati Reds have re-signed left-handed reliever Manny Parra to a two-year, $5.5 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. As Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reported, the deal will pay Parra $2 million in 2014 and $3.5 million in 2015.
Parra, who joined the Reds on a one-year, $1 million contract last February, pitched to a 2-3 record and 3.33 ERA in his first year with the team. He posted a staggering 11.0 K/9 rate and was one of the best lefty-on-lefty relievers in the game, allowing only a .167 average on the season.
While chances of a reunion between Parra and the Reds were considered strong all offseason, he also received preliminary interest from the Nationals, who are targeting left-handed relief this winter. Once Javier Lopez signed his three-year, $13 million contract to stay in San Francisco, the market for lefty relievers was established and the Reds were able to gauge a value to give to Parra.
In six major league seasons with the Brewers (2007-2010, 2012) and Reds (2013), Parra has a lifetime 28-36 record with a 4.97 ERA in 229 games (74 starts). Since being converted to a full-time reliever with Milwaukee in 2012, he is 4-6 with a 4.32 ERA in 104.2 innings.
