Arizona Diamondbacks trade rumors: Gerardo Parra on the market
By Hayden Kane
The Arizona Diamondbacks value two key attributes about outfielder Gerardo Parra.
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The first is his “grit.” Unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, nobody has really been able to define what that means, why the Diamondbacks built their team around it, or how it was supposed to help them win games. With Kirk Gibson and Kevin Towers hanging onto their jobs by their fingernails, the grit philosophy should run its course soon enough.
The second thing Parra brings, the skill that might have a discernible impact on games, is his elite defense. He is also athletic and versatile, so while his offense is down a bit this season, he might be a player who generates trade interest at this year’s deadline.
According to Jerry Crasnick, the Diamondbacks are budging off their previous stance that Parra would not be available. It is as much a salary consideration as anything else.
You can add Gerardo Parra to the list of players being shopped by the #dbacks, according to one MLB exec.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 30, 2014
#Dbacks love Parra's makeup, but he's making $4.85M and has one more year of salary arbitration. He has a .657 OPS.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 30, 2014
Makeup equals grit, for those keeping track at home. The Diamondbacks aren’t giving up that dream easily.
Parra is batting just .256/.301/.358 this season. He still brings a solid glove, a great throwing arm, and experience with him, so while a trade might not be earth-shattering, it would be relevant to the race for whichever team added him. As we have learned many times and will learn again, it is often those lesser role players who decide key moments in September and October baseball.
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumblings from the baseball hot stove this trade season.