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MLB Rumors: Washington Nationals interested in Denard Span, Gerardo Parra

By Matt Whitener

Jun 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) reacts with right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after scoring against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) reacts with right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after scoring against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals are interested in Denard Span and Gerardo Parra. 

The Washington Nationals have continued to stay engaged on ways to add to their outfield this offseason. While they have not been connected to any of the remaining premier free agent outfielders such as Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon and Justin Upton, they did make a significant push for Jason Heyward before he ultimately landed with the Chicago Cubs.

However, they have stayed engaged in the second tier free agent outfield market, and now are rumored to have interest in Gerardo Parra, as well as their former center fielder Denard Span.

A former Gold Glove outfielder, Parra represents a significant defensive presence that can play an above average corner outfield with his glove, albeit being slightly miscast defensively in center field. 2015 was a career year for him offensively, as he hit .291 with 14 home runs, 51 RBI and 159 hits in 155 games spent between the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles.

Span would represent a return to familiar waters for the Nats, as he has served was the team’s everyday center fielder since 2013. However, he missed over 100 games last summer while battling a hip injury. However, Span has been on a mission to re-establish his faith in his condition this winter, which could tempt a club such as the Nats to make a leap of faith. From 2013-14, he averaged a .290/.341/.398 split, along with 26 stolen bases and 10 triples over an average of 150 games a year.

It makes sense that the Nationals are continuing to push for ways to upgrade their outfield depth. Outside of reigning National League Most Valuable Player and franchise centerpiece Bryce Harper, the team has two uncertain properties in Jayson Werth and Michael Taylor slated to start in two-thirds of their outfield currently.

This is because neither of those two options provides the type of comfort the team is looking for from an everyday player quite yet, and understandably so. The 36-year-old Werth is coming off a year where he managed only 88 games and hit to a .221 average and .302 on-base percentage, as he battled a fractured left wrist last summer.

Likewise, the team is excited by the tools and potential of the 24-year-old Taylor, but he only managed a .229/.282/.358 split line in 511 plate appearances a year ago and could stand to benefit from a platoon role as he continues to mature.

The team has been busy in other areas as well in an effort to round out its everyday lineup, inking second baseman Daniel Murphy to a three year, $37.5 million deal, as well as a deal with infielder Stephen Drew recently.

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