Sources have told MLSsoccer.com that Tim Parker asked the Vancouver Whitecaps for a trade this winter, a development that played a role in the club discussing a deal earlier this week with the NY Red Bulls involving the Long Island native and RBNY midfielder Felipe.
Parker, whose contract will expire following the 2018 season, and Vancouver talked about a new contract this offseason but didn’t come close to agreeing on a salary. Sources said that Parker is looking for a deal that will pay him more than the maximum budget charge of $504,375 per year and put him at or above the salary level of fellow American center backs Matt Hedges (FC Dallas) and Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United). The sources said Vancouver didn't meet his price, prompting Parker to ask the club for a trade.
According to the MLS Players’ Union, Parker made $99,600 in guaranteed compensation in 2017. If he doesn’t sign a new deal, he’d be able to leave Vancouver and join a team outside MLS for free following the 2018 season or sign a pre-contract in the summer that would commit him to joining a foreign club next January.
The sources confirmed that Vancouver and New York discussed a trade involving Parker and Felipe this week, but that, as of now, a straight swap involving the pair won't happen. The sources said the Whitecaps value Parker around $1 million on the trade market, and wanted a significant amount of allocation money in addition to Felipe, which the Red Bulls were unwilling to give. The sources also said that Vancouver have engaged several other teams from both conferences regarding Parker, but that no one has hit their asking price.
Kristian Dyer reported earlier Thursday that the ‘Caps are seeking $1 million in allocation money and an international slot on the trade market and that D.C. United and the Montreal Impact were also "in the mix to land Parker."
Selected by Vancouver with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, Parker became a full-time starter midway through his first season and has held the job ever since. He started 28 regular season games in 2016 and 32 in 2017 and has five career MLS Cup Playoff appearances.
Despite his trade request, Parker has been an active participant in Vancouver’s preseason since he joined the team following the conclusion of the US men’s national team’s January camp. He’s trained with the Whitecaps and played in friendlies during the club’s recent camps in Hawaii and Las Vegas and went 45 minutes in the club’s 2-0 friendly win against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday.
Vancouver, who signed center back and captain Kendall Waston to an extension last week, will open their 2018 MLS season on Sunday, March 4 against the Montreal Impact (6 pm ET on TSN and TVAS).
