Chicago Cubs sign former Reds’ southpaw Manny Parra to minor league deal

As Spring Training begins, the Chicago Cubs continue to add pitching depth by signing a veteran, who is very familiar with the NL Central, to a minor league contract.

The Chicago Cubs on Monday continued to add more pitching depth by signing left-handed reliever Manny Parra to a minor league contract. The news was first reported by the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales on his Twitter account and Parra will also receive an invite to spring training.

Parra, 33, was a former starter who has pitched primarily out of the bullpen since 2012. Parra spent the last three seasons with the Reds, and he compiled a 1-2 record with a 3.90 ERA in 40 appearances last season.

The southpaw struck out 23 in 32 1/3 innings pitched and had a 45.9 percent ground ball rate. In his career, Parra began as a starter with Milwaukee but struggled to the tuned of a 5.44 ERA in 74 career starts.

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Milwaukee moved him to the bullpen, where he has since compiled a more successful 4.01 ERA with the Brewers and the Reds.

Parra has much better success against lefties, where he has a .222/.285/.333 slash against them since moving to the bullpen but has always had troubles against righties, who are hitting .290 against him. It seems like Parra would be better suited as a lefty specialist should he break camp with the Cubs.

The Cubs have a number of lefties already on the roster heading into spring training and have just one opening for that eighth and final bullpen spot (assuming they use an eight-man bullpen).

Parra is a great addition since he adds another lefty to the mix that provides depth and a veteran presence. The question becomes whether or not Parra decides to stay with the organization if he does not make the team out of Spring Training.

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I am sure the Cubs would like to hang on to him but only time will tell. Parra will receive $520K with the potential for another $1.28 million in bonuses should he make the roster and it definitely will be an uphill battle for him.

Either way, a good signing by the Cubs to add to the never-ending pitching depth.