Gerardo Parra Signing Opens Door For Colorado Rockies To Trade Carlos Gonzalez

For more than two years there have been rumors and speculation about the Colorado Rockies trading away star player Carlos Gonzalez, but nothing has yet come to fruition. However, with Tuesday’s announcement that the Rockies have agreed to sign outfielder Gerardo Parra to a three-year deal, the time may finally come for Colorado to trade away CarGo.

Parra joins a rather crowded outfield that is already full of talented left-handed players. On some teams, Parra would make for a great fourth outfielder, but a team like the Rockies committing close to $30 million means that Parra was brought to Colorado to play every day. This addition of Parra officially makes Colorado’s outfield overcrowded, and since there’s little doubt that Parra will be an everyday player, it means that one of the other outfielders on Colorado’s roster could be used as trade bait before the start of spring training. Gonzalez has to be the most likely candidate.

Gonzalez doesn’t hold quite as much value on the trade market as he did a few years ago, but after 40 home runs and a .864 OPS in 2015, the Rockies will undoubtedly get something substantial in a trade. Considering the fact that Gonzalez has just two years left on his contract, the money he’s still owed on his current deal is far less daunting than it would have seemed a couple years ago. As a result, any team trading for him would take on far less risk than in the past.

The Rockies could also make room for Parra by trading either Charlie Blackmon or Corey Dickerson, who would both be desirable commodities on the trade market for teams in need of an outfielder. However, the Rockies would be better served by keeping their younger outfielders to team up with Parra, especially considering the great promise both Blackmon and Dickerson have shown in the past two seasons. The Rockies also have the versatile Brandon Barnes and former first-round pick Kyle Parker to give their outfield both depth and right-handed hitters, especially if Parker can live up to his talent level after once being a highly regarded prospect.

An outfield of Parra, Blackmon and Dickerson with Barnes and Parker providing depth on the bench would be a strong unit in Colorado. With the signing of Parra, the Rockies can put together a productive outfield without Gonzalez. Colorado is now free to trade him in order to boost their pitching staff, and they should seize the opportunity.