Kansas City Royals Should Avoid Signing Gerardo Parra

Two facts about the Kansas City Royals make themselves clear as we near the end of 2015: (1) It still feels really good to be the champs, and (2) the Royals need to, at the least, add a starter and an outfielder for most fans to feel confident about 2016.

Let’s dive right in and start with the position that actually needs two replacements, assuming KC doesn’t bring back Alex Gordon. The Royals hope to stick to their gameplan by refilling the outfield with good defenders who can keep the offense balanced. Gerardo Parra seems to fit the mold and could be had for around $10 million per year or less, but is he really the right answer for KC?

Parra started last season with 100 games of great offense, in which he posted a .328/.369/.517 slash line and a .886 OPS. Those numbers could entice KC into making the same decision/mistake they made with Omar Infante. Parra reportedly received three-year offers from numerous clubs already, and he turned them all down in order to seek out a fourth year of security. He’s 28, so it isn’t an outlandish request. If and when they lose out on re-signing Alex Gordon, KC will be desperate for a solid outfielder to replace him. In 2013, the Royals were similarly desperate for a second baseman who could contribute offensively. The market looked thin, but KC just watched Infante hit .318 for the division rival Detroit Tigers. Days before his 32nd birthday, Infante signed a four-year deal worth just over $30 million.

Somebody will probably sign the younger and more athletic Parra to a four-year deal, probably for $8-11 million per season. I would pass. Parra will consistently hit against right-handed pitching, as his career numbers show, but a sub-.600 OPS against lefties makes paying him $8 million a year somewhat pointless for KC. If the Royals want to start 2016 with a great defensive outfielder who can’t hit lefties, they don’t have to go out and sign anybody. His name is Jarrod Dyson, and he’s a lot of fun to watch, despite a career .536 OPS against left-handed pitching. Dyson is also a better defender than Parra, who impressed many with his defense to start his big-league career but has since regressed according to defensive sabermetrics. So what the Royals really need is an outfielder who can keep the lineup potent and the defense solid while KC faces left-handed pitching.

Dexter Fowler crushes lefties, and Gordo’s career splits show long-term offensive balance. Fowler will cost some club a lot of money, let’s say around $15 million per season in a multi-year deal, and he’s a bad defender who struck out 154 times in 156 games last season. If the Royals go above what they’d spend on Parra to sign an outfielder, that money will go to Gordon. Bringing in Parra for less than $10 million per season wouldn’t ruin the team or its budget, but I’d prefer to see KC spend the money in other ways. I’m also still excited about the possible rise of Brett Eibner.

Doug LaCerte is www.RantSports.com’s beat writer for the Kansas City Royals. Follow him on Twitter @DLaC67, “like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.