Rockies sign Gerardo Parra to 3-year, $27.5 million deal

The Rockies have signed outfielder Gerardo Parra to a 3-year, $27.5 million deal, as first reported by Wilmer Reina of Diario la Verdad. The deal includes a $12 million club option for a fourth season, as reported by our own Chris Cotillo.

In 589 plate appearances between the Brewers and Orioles last season, Parra hit .291/.328/.452, with a .334 wOBA, along with wRC+ of 108, and a 0.4 fWAR. While Parra posted his best offensive season since his breakout 2011 campaign with the Diamondbacks, his defense suffered for the second year in a row. In 2013, Parra was a star in the outfield, as he posted a UZR of 31.1, as well as a DRS of 41, both of which lead Major League Baseball. However in the last two years, he's seemingly become a defensive liability.

In 2014, his UZR was just barely above 0 (0.1), and in 2015, he produced a negative value of -18.1. Similarly, his DRS has been in decline, and he posted values of -1 and -10 in 2014, and 2015, respectively. But, at just 28 years of age, Parra could undoubtedly reverse these trends.

Perhaps the most interesting piece of this signing is that it now means Colorado can trade one of their outfielders without creating a massive hole. As of now, the Rockies have Corey Dickerson, Charlie Blackmon, and Carlos Gonzalez slated for outfield duty, and according to Jon Morosi, discussions have already begun on at least one of those players.

Source: #Orioles, #Rockies engaged in "ongoing trade talks" on Colorado outfielders. Rockies have surplus following Parra deal. @FOXSports

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 12, 2016

Of the three outfielders mentioned, Gonzalez is the best offensive player, but Dickerson is under team control for the longest (through 2019). While he might be the smarter move for the long-term future of a team, Gonzalez would provide more offense for a team that's in need of a quick fix.

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.