As the Orioles front office sat around watching big moves happen all around the league the week of the trade deadline, nothing was coming together for them. Despite Baltimore, the last few seasons, being able to win big in September in order to get into the playoffs with a roster full of multiple unique talents, it doesn’t mean they didn’t need to make a move. Buck Showalter has always been able to shake up the pitching staff to make them solid enough for October, and last season the O’s had some good bats that included Nick Markakis along with Nelson Cruz, but this season the lineup has been missing those two names, thus creating holes in the corner outfield positions. With Machado and Davis being healthy, along with producing massive numbers in 2015, there are no problems with offensive production in the infield, but when a team (especially American league) has no corner outfielders with big bats, the team could fall apart.
The O’s didn’t need to make a huge splash in acquiring an outfielder, but one good enough to plug up the holes. With that said, the O’s went out and made one of the sneakiest moves of the deadline, in acquiring two-time gold glover, Gerardo Parra from the Brew-Crew, in exchange for a decent right-handed pitching prospect. Baltimore got an all-star caliber starter that has 4 tools for a cheap cheap bargain.
The former Diamondback outfielder has been spotty with his offense over the years, however, this season he is batting .322 with 25 doubles in 105 appearances. That is the kind of bat the O’s were in need of, but that is not all, as Parra also brings a canon for an arm to Camden Yards. Over his 7 big league campaigns, Parra has managed to throw out 33 runners with a kill% above league average. He has played a couple thousand innings in each of the 3 spots out there, while collecting a range factor of 2.25 (league average= 2.03).
The versatile outfielder will swap between the corners, as the vacant spot will go to either Travis Snider or another back up like David Lough, while Chris Davis can move back to 1st base where he belongs, thus allowing Jimmy Paredes and Jonathan Schoop to switch between 2nd or DH. Having Parra will not only plug up a hole, but will give the O’s a boost to go for the division crown. As Parra becomes a free agent at the conclusion of the season, Baltimore needs to make him feel at home, for he definitely fits well in his new uniform.
