July 18, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Manny Parra (26) during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Reds’ recent signing of southpaw pitcher Manny Parra is interesting if not mis-guided. In the comments section of a recent article I ‘shot from the hip’ and made a comment without doing any research. I said that I thought it was a good pickup. I shall eat my words.

For a million bucks you may expect a little more than a +5 ERA. Perhaps Walt Jocketty knows something the rest of us do not. The Reds could really use a lefty in the bullpen but I believe we could have done better.

Season this with the fact that I thought the waiver signing at the eleventh hour of Alfredo Simon in 2012 was a terrible move. He, in fact turned out to be a pleasant surprise, even if he did prolong the appearance of Todd Frazier.

Parra, 30, has five years experience all with the Brewers. He has a record of 26-33 with an unattractive, if not ugly ERA of 5.12. In 2008 and ’09 he averaged 28 starts for the Brewers. On the wrong side of the ledger he led the league in wild pitches in 2008 with 17 in 166 innings. In 2010 he threw 14 in only 122 innings.

In 2011 Parra didn’t pitch at all in the major leagues, and only appeared in 12 innings in the minor leagues, due to injuries to his elbow and back. He didn’t bounce back like the Brewers would have hoped in 2012 only offering 58+ innings of service, with two wins and an ERA over 5.

He walks more batters than he should but he is a tad better than the league average in giving up the long ball. His career numbers in BAbip is way above the norm, .342 to .299.

His career splits do not indicate that he would be a decent LOOGY as lefties are hitting him to the tune of .267/.349/.417.

My only memory of him in seeing Prince Fielder push him around in the dugout several years ago. I don’t know what that was about but it couldn’t be anything good. Bad teammate?

Usually Jocketty knows what he is doing, so perhaps he strongly believes Parra is due for an upswing in his career. I can only hope that is the case, because this was not a minor league signing like that of Miguel Olivo.

John Fay tweets that Cincy inked Manny Parra, last of the Milwaukee Brewers, and designated Todd Redmond for assignment.

July 7, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Parra throws a pitch against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. The Astros defeated the Brewers 6-3. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Two things here…

First, I was a bit befuddled when the Reds signed Redmond to a major league deal. He will go down in Reds “lore” as being “the guy” that gained a start and thus “preventing” all 2012 Reds starters from starting all 162 games of the season. He hurled the second game of a double-header against the Cubs (which was a make-up game) and lasted only 3.1 innings.

Second, about Parra. Sure he’s a lefty. He also has experience as both a starter and a reliever. I have serious doubts that being a starter played into this decision. Again, he’s a lefty, but his career splits against lefty batters are not impressive: .267/.349/.417.

Parra’s GABP numbers aren’t horrible (2-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.633 WHIP), but they won’t knock your socks off either. This might be more of a signal that there is very little available as far as lefty relief arms. In fact, there’s practically none.

Look at the Parra signing as a grab, and I doubt you would get any substantial argument. Then again, the only other lefty reliever on what we could project to be the 25-man is Sean Marshall.

Well, you may feel inclined to also point to another: Aroldis Chapman.

I know. I may have started something.