KC Royals: Top Trade Targets To Replace Alex Gordon

Jun 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder

(28) makes a running catch of ball hit by New York Mets first baseman

(not pictured) in the first inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

With the 37-50 Milwaukee Brewers clearly in sell mode, outfielder Gerardo Parra becomes a deadline deal trade candidate. He’s slashing a more than solid .309/.345/.487 with 8 home runs and 26 RBI’s.

As a guy that can play all three outfield positions, Parra is versatile. Parra currently has a -10.8 DEF rating on Fangraphs.com, but that’s due to his play in center field. He’s a plus defender in the corners, which is where the Kansas City Royals need help.

Gerardo Parra even brings a bit of Alex Gordon-like arm strength to the position, ranking second in all of major league baseball with 50 outfield assists since 2011 (behind Gordon’s 65). Parra is also a left-handed hitter, so he would help maintain the KC Royals righty/lefty lineup balance.

However, the knock on the 28-year-old Parra has always been that he’s more of 4th outfielder than a starting guy. Despite this season’s .832 OPS for Milwaukee, his career triple slash is a slightly below league average .277/.327/.403. He’s never hit more than 10 home runs in a season, and isn’t as patient as Gordon at the plate with a mere 5.2% walk rate this season.

Even so, Parra is a guy that can help, and isn’t likely to cost anything close to Zobrist.

Next: Milwaukee Brewers Carlos Gomez