It took just about the entire off-season, as well as a position change, for Ian Desmond to find a new home. The Texas Rangers agreed to terms with the shortstop on a one-year, $8 million deal, pending a physical.
Desmond has spent all of his seven years in the big leagues with the Washington Nationals, but left them for free agency after rejecting a $15.8 million qualifying offer. The Rangers will send a first-round pick to Washington in the deal.
The 30-year-old Desmond is expected to be more of a utility player for Texas with Elvis Andrus already manning the shortstop position.
Reports say Desmond will play left field as well, a position he hasn't played since 2010. With Josh Hamilton beginning the season on the disabled list with a knee injury, that is where the newly-signed Desmond will begin the year.
The three-time Silver Slugger Award winner has a career .264 average with 110 home runs and 432 RBIs. After three consecutive 20+ home run seasons, he struggled in 2015, batting just .233 with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs. Desmond also committed an NL-high 27 errors on the defensive side of the ball.
The former All-Star will look to find his groove yet again with a change of scenery, on the field and in the clubhouse, beginning in 2016.
Desmond has spent all of his seven years in the big leagues with the Washington Nationals, but left them for free agency after rejecting a $15.8 million qualifying offer. The Rangers will send a first-round pick to Washington in the deal.
The 30-year-old Desmond is expected to be more of a utility player for Texas with Elvis Andrus already manning the shortstop position.
Reports say Desmond will play left field as well, a position he hasn't played since 2010. With Josh Hamilton beginning the season on the disabled list with a knee injury, that is where the newly-signed Desmond will begin the year.
The three-time Silver Slugger Award winner has a career .264 average with 110 home runs and 432 RBIs. After three consecutive 20+ home run seasons, he struggled in 2015, batting just .233 with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs. Desmond also committed an NL-high 27 errors on the defensive side of the ball.
The former All-Star will look to find his groove yet again with a change of scenery, on the field and in the clubhouse, beginning in 2016.
