Oakland A's Roster and Trade Rumors: Jarrod Parker Avoids Arbitration, Agrees to One-Year Deal
Right-handed pitcher Jarrod Parker hasn't been that lucky in the past couple of seasons playing professional baseball. After missing the 2014 season due to a second Tommy John surgery, he unfortunately fractured his elbow during rehabilitation, prompting him to go under the knife once again.
So it should be more than welcoming to hear that he now has the opportunity to come back in the majors after the Oakland Athletics agreed to sign him for one-year contract that's worth $850,000, in the process avoiding arbitration.
The deal, announced on Saturday, also includes a guaranteed pay of $425,000.
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It's difficult to realize that at only 27, Parker had to endure all those injuries and surgeries in his young career. He is 25-16 with a 3.68 ERA in a little over two seasons in the MLB. With his signing, there are only four arbitration eligible players left in the team roster, including right fielder Josh Reddick, first baseman Yonder Alonso, third baseman Danny Valencia, and Fernando Rodriguez.
After Parker's signing, the A's are hoping to land Scott Kazmir, a free agent left-hander who played for the team last season, backing up Sonny Gray in the rotation. However, Oakland is facing competition for his services, with several teams expressing their interest in signing the 31-year-old, including the Dodgers, Orioles, and Royals. Before the end of last season, he was traded by the A's to the Astros in exchange for catcher Jacob Nottingham and another pitcher, Daniel Mengden.
As for Parker, he may have to make the necessary adjustments as soon as possible as he hasn't been exposed to the big league in two years. There will always be concern with regard to his health, but knowing that the A's gambled in signing him this offseason is a sign that they're willing to give him another crack, and hopefully he'll remain healthy this upcoming season.
