TODAY: The Nationals have officially announced the signing, adding Parra on a one-year contract.
YESTERDAY: The Nationals are moving fast on newly minted free agent outfielder Gerardo Parra. After hitting the open market just yesterday, he’s now reportedly due to join the Nats on their current road trip.
Parra, 32, had been designated for assignment by the Giants as they cleared the deck for younger options. He is slashing just .198/.278/.267 through 97 plate appearances on the season.
For the Nats, the veteran left-handed hitter may help plug one of the team’s many leaks. Andrew Stevenson suffered a back injury after being called up to bolster the outfield unit while Juan Soto works back to health. With lefty slugger Matt Adams also sidelined, the club is short of southpaw swingers.
Parra is known more for his glovework in the outfield than his bat, though he has at times been an above-average hitter. Through nearly five thousand MLB plate appearances over eleven seasons, he owns an 88 wRC+ — though he’s closer to league-average (96 wRC+) when hitting with the platoon advantage, as he likely will for the most part in D.C.
It is not yet known how the Nationals will clear the necessary roster space for this move. Placing Stevenson on the injured list could open an active roster spot, but that wouldn’t account for the 40-man.
Kerry Crowley of the Mercury News first made the connection on Twitter. ESPN’s Jose Rivera first tweeted that a deal was agreed to. Also reporting the match were Sam Fortier of the Washington Post (Twitter link) and Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).
I wouldn’t say Parra “hit” the market. More “weak grounder to second” the market.
yikes, that one stings
Mean :(
Fantastic.
LOL!
I’d even go with “weak grounder to the pitcher” the market.
*standing ovation*
Well played sir
what and why
the guy is a great defensive OF’er- if he can put his at bats together he’ll be a nice pickup otherwise he is cheap and like the giants you can just let him go
can he pitch? or not make an error? My god, I feel bad for Nats fans for putting up with this garbage. All star team on paper, trash on the field.
Part of me knows that the All Star team on paper is currently on the IL. The other part of me knows that when fully healthy they still sucked.
Complete disappointment.
Did you actually think the giants would’ve good?
Career 11+ WAR is good! Nats could use some veterans and a .278 lifetime Avg is hopefully something he could match this year. Anyway real team issue is Rizzo’s inability to assemble a “good” performing bullpen for years!
Thank you Johnny Superscout
The Nationals spent spring training having cabbage races with Davey Martinez instead of getting in shape for the long season ahead. And their GM is under the gun to craft a winner from the cabbage patch. Since Rizzo quit growing guys in the minors like Craig Stammen and converting starters like Tyler Clippard, he has been at a loss to develop a bullpen. He cannot go over the luxury tax threshold and he signed Trevor Rosenthal to an $8 million contract that may cost him his job. Martinez should be gone long before that happens.
What is the consensus opinion of WSN Manager Dave Martinez? Not every team has the talent the Nats have had but, they seem to have under-performed as a team the last two seasons.
Try under-performing the last 10 seasons!
Rizzo has neither figured out the bullpen or how to assemble a solid 40 man roster when the “regulars” get injured. Yanks and others have! He is handicapped at selecting solid managers as well , thanks to the Lerners. We will soon say goodby to this season followed by adios to Dave Martinez. A solid first of or third base coach. Glad I gave up my season tickets this year
Parra lost all respect last year when he hid behind 2 teammates and reached through to sucker-punch someone during a brawl. I believe he got suspended for his cowardly act. What a loser…fits right in with the Nats!
Good luck Mr. Parra, but unfortunately I think your better years are far behind you. Defensively you played decent, but I think you left your bat in Colorado. Nats fans better get used to hearing, “and Parra with another weak ground ball out to the catcher!”
So tired of him beating the Dodgers. Glad he’s out of the West finally
Well, Nats play LAD in LA tonight. So there is that.
LOL it’s so ironic though. Watch him kill us again.
Peter Borgous (sp) probably would be a better choice. Faster and better fielder.
Parra is one of my favorite players.He has scrappiness and does well against the Dodgers.Maybe one of the teams trying to beat them in the playoffs will deploy him as a secret weapon
Parra strikes again v the Dodgers