The Nationals have reached an agreement with Gerardo Parra on a minor league contract. Time to look at the winners and losers of this deal.
Well, the nostalgia tour has spilled into the 2021 season folks. We actually saw how this movie played out in 2020 when the Nationals brought back several members of their World Series team for a second go around. The result was a 26-34 record and a spot on the division floor in the National League East standings.
While the additions of a couple sluggers, a veteran pitcher, and some bullpen help, have been great, the Nationals steered towards memory lane when they signed outfielder Gerardo Parra to a minor league contract.
If you are a Nationals fan, Parra needs no introduction. For those of you who are not, a brief recap. When Parra was signed in 2019, the Nationals were eight games under .500 and sitting in fourth place in the division. His first hit with the team was a go-ahead, eighth inning, grand slam to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Parra had modest contributions with the bat and glove, though his impact was felt with his energy and the excitement which surrounded him. The Baby Shark phenomenon and the colored sunglasses, just two of the additions to the team credited to Parra. His presence tied the “family” together and made for a memorable run to the World Series.
After a year playing for the Yomiuri Giants of the Japan Central League, Gerardo Parra is back. He may just be on a minor league contract now, though my hunch is he’ll make the roster as a goodwill story. There is a 26-man roster right? Here is your 26th man. Good, bad, or indifferent.
His presence on the roster will create a trickle down affect and today we look at the winners and losers from this move.