As the hours were ticking down to the MLB Trade Deadline, the Baltimore Orioles were fixated on upgrading their outfield. While Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton's prices were out of their comfort zone, they have found a deal they like.
Baltimore has agreed to send pitching prospect Zach Davies to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Gerardo Parra. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal was first to report a deal was close.
Baltimore has been running out Chris Davis and Nolan Reimold in the corner outfield spots, certainly not ideal for a team trying to compete for a playoff spot. Davis has been dreadful defensively in right field and Baltimore has been hoping to find his replacement, allowing them to move Davis back to first base.
The 28-year-old Parra has long been known as a defensive gem in the outfield with good range and an excellent arm. What's surprising is how well he has done this season at the plate, with a .328/.369/.517 slashline and nine home runs. Parra certainly helped his trade value in July, slashing .435/.495/.718 ith four home runs in 85 at bats. Parra is in the last year of arbitration and is set to become a free agent this offseason.
Milwaukee continues to purge their big-league outfield, trading away Parra just a day after trading center fielder Carlos Gomez. It's focus this month was improving the farm system, both from a talent and depth perspective, which they most certainly did. In Davies, Milwaukee gets a 22-year-old right-hander who has steadily improved over the years. In 2012, Davies had a 3.86 ERA at A-Ball, 3.69 ERA at High-A in 2013, 3.35 ERA at Double-A in 2014 and now a strong year for Triple-A Norfolk.
In 18 starts for Triple-A Norfolk, Davies owns a 2.84 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and 81/33 K/BB ratio in 101 1/3 innings. He has given up four home runs on the year with a .241 opposing average allowed. He doesn't have great upside, but projects well as a No.4 starter who could almost certainly reach that point with the progressions he has made. This is an excellent return for Milwaukee and has been a strong week for its front office.
Fantasy Spin:
Parra fortunately goes to a team where he will remain a starter, which is noteworthy given some teams were looking at him as a platoon player for their outfield. Even with the every day at bats, his .372 batting average on balls in play versus his .328 average baBIP over his career, is a clear indicator regression is coming. The move to Camden Yards isn't a fantasy drain, though it isn't as hitter-friendly as Miller Park. Overall, Parra's fantasy value will subside over time and make him more of a fourth outfielder for your fantasy team.