The Nationals don’t appear content going into the season with Rick Ankiel, Roger Bernadina or Jayson Werth as the starting center fielder.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nationals have expressed interest in Diamondbacks’ outfielder Gerardo Parra. Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo signed Parra to his first professional contract when he was Arizona’s director of scouting from 2000-2006.
It’s not clear who the Nationals would offer in return, but Ladson mentions that the club has some starting pitching depth. That might not be very appealing for Arizona, though, as they already have a full rotation and plenty of young starting pitching on the way.
Parra won a Gold Glove in left field last season, but the addition of Jason Kubel is expected to push him into a part-time role this year. The 24-year-old batted .292/.357/.427 with eight homers, 46 RBI, 15 stolen bases and a .784 OPS in 2011 and has experience at all three outfield positions. He remains under team control through 2015.
