The Royals continue to be among the teams showing interest in free agent outfielder Gerardo Parra, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). It has been suggested in the past that Parra could be a Plan B for the Royals in the event that they could not retain Alex Gordon.
If the Royals want to sign Parra, it stands to reason that they’ll have to make a considerable multi-year commitment to him. Earlier this month it was reported that Parra had multiple three-year offers in hand but he was holding out in an effort to land a four-year deal. At the age of 28 (29 in May), a four-year deal is not an unreasonable request.
Parra slashed .291/.328/.452 in 2015 and he boasts a strong reputation as a defensive outfielder, though it should be noted that his fielding statistics took a big step backward last season. Parra made his name when he put up an outstanding defensive campaign with the D’Backs back in 2013. Moving into a full-time role, he graded out as one of the game’s premium outfielders according to both UZR and Defensive Runs Saved . But last season’s metrics were more of the average variety, and Parra was decidedly in the red in 2015.
Parra’s struggles against left-handed pitching prevent him from being a regular, but many have figured that he could still get a strong payday as something between a regular and a fourth outfielder. Earlier this offseason, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes pegged Parra for a three-year, $27MM deal. Back in August, MLBTR’s Jeff Todd brought up names like comps include Melky Cabrera (three years, $42MM), Nick Markakis (four years, $44MM), Shane Victorino (three years, $39MM), and Angel Pagan (four years, $40MM) as potentially useful comps. However, his weak play in the final 55 games of the season with the Orioles have probably depressed his value somewhat.
Good keep him away from the mets. Overrated
I feel sorry for the Royals.
They’d be a far more complete team if it weren’t for the $20 million tv deal.
“I feel sorry for the Royals”
Well I would think so. They’ve only played in two straight World Series and are the defending world champs.
The RoyLs could simply trade for Nock Markakis. I doubt it would be very expensive to pull him from the Braves and it’s only about 10 mil a year for 3 years, so it wouldn’t be much of a burden come 2018 when several of their higher end players would be up for free agency.
Just need somebody to play LF not a CF.
Parra isn’t really a CF. he’s played LF and RF much more than center in his career.
I think Royals would be better off picking one of the guys slated to hit FA after 2017 and trade them and keep Gordon. They cant keep all of them and could get more value with 2 yrs control left rather than 1 or a half year if they wait. Could get a haul for Davis – or perhaps try to work something out centered around Cain for Soler. Big problem with winning world series is all key players become must keeps from a pr perspective and some will have to be let go due to financial restraints.
Unfortunately, since it is KC, all of them will be leaving for greener pastures. Enjoy it while you can, because the rebuild begins in two years.
Parra and Gordon are kind of the same players. They both hit around 15 homers and keep a nice average with insane defense. Parra is the better bat and Gordon is the better glove.
Parra is the better bat????
How in the world did you come to that conclusion?