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Rumors: Washington Nationals Interested In Gerardo Parra

By Ricky Keeler

Sep 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Gerardo Parra (18) hits two run RBI double against Toronto blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Orioles beat Jays 10 - 2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Gerardo Parra (18) hits two run RBI double against Toronto blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Orioles beat Jays 10 - 2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is being reported that the Nationals have contacted free agent outfielder Gerardo Parra

One of the main needs for the Washington Nationals this winter has been to add another outfielder into the mix. They lost on the Jason Heyward sweepstakes when Heyward signed with the Chicago Cubs. Now, they have interest in another free agent outfielder that can play center field.

According to William Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals have contacted Gerardo Parra. Parra, who played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles last season, had a slash line of .291/.328/.452 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI’s in 155 games. Ladson also reported that the Nats “haven’t closed the door on Denard Span.”

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There is a Mike Rizzo connection here as Rizzo, when he was in the Arizona Diamondbacks front office, signed Parra as a minor league free agent in 2004. He would make his debut in the Major Leagues in 2009. Parra has been able to be a durable player in his career when you consider he has played in at least 120 games in each of his seven seasons and at least 150 games in each of the last three seasons.

Last month, one of our writers Matt Weyrich, wrote a profile on Parra for us and said this when talking about Parra and Michael Taylor, who is currently the projected center fielder for Opening Day:

"“While Taylor certainly has offensive upside as such a young player, Parra is the more dependable candidate to man the position.”"

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I would agree with Matt’s take here because Parra has proven to stay healthy and has won two gold gloves in his career (2011 in left field, 2013 in right field). Parra has versatility and can play all three outfield positions, so you could either platoon him with Taylor in center field or play him in left/right field when Jayson Werth or Bryce Harper need a day off.

Parra, who will turn 29 in May, has had an over .300 on-base percentage in each season in his career and could be an option at the leadoff spot for the Nats. In his career, he is a .340 hitter in 38 games out of that spot in the batting order.

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At the beginning of the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors predicted that the Nationals would be the ones that signed Parra to a three-year, $27 million deal. With the outfield market still at a standstill, Parra could be a guy that the Nats get at their price. If the Nationsls are not fully comfortable with Span’s health, Parra would be a good option to plug into the outfield.

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