Report: Rangers signing Ian Desmond to play left field
The last MLB free agent with draft pick compensation attached appears to have finally found a home.
Ian Desmond, who has spent his entire career as a shortstop with the Washington Nationals, has reportedly signed a one year deal with the Texas Rangers, where he will likely play left field.
Source: Desmond deal with #Rangers is for one year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 28, 2016
LF will be Desmond's primary position with #Rangers, but he also could bounce around Zobrist-like if injuries occur or others under-perform.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 28, 2016
Source: Desmond deal with #Rangers is one year, $8M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 28, 2016
The move will cost Texas their first round draft pick but also give them a cheap 20 homer bat who has won three Silver Sluggers at shortstop. Of course, the offensive standards are also higher for a left fielder than for a shortstop, but Desmond is still a solid player who can give the Rangers a boost. It’s hardly an ideal situation for Desmond, who was once offered – and rejected – a $100 million deal by Washington, but at the age of 30, he’ll have another shot at free agency after the season.
Desmond was linked to the Padres earlier in the offseason as he had difficulty finding work due to a combination of his demands and the compensation attached to him.