Rangers outfielder Ian Desmond will reject his one-year, $17.2MM qualifying offer, per reports from FanRag’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link). As Sherman notes, Desmond figures to be in considerably more demand this time around than he was after rejecting the QO last winter.
Last year’s decision seemed logical at the time but ultimately proved to be a misstep, as Desmond settled for a one-year, $8MM deal with the Rangers that required him to switch positions. While that was certainly a disappointing outcome, it may have been a blessing in disguise, as Desmond showed well in the outfield and enjoyed a considerably stronger year at the plate in 2016, prompting him for a larger payday than he’d have otherwise received on a more modest multi-year commitment last winter. In 156 games with the Rangers, Desmond hit .285/.335/.446 with 22 homers and 21 stolen bases while playing above-average defense in left field and passable, albeit below-average defense in center. Considering that the 2016 season marked his first professional exposure to both positions, it’s perhaps not surprising that Desmond struggled in center. He could conceivably improve there if asked to reprise his role as a center fielder, though, now that he has more experience under his belt. And it’s certainly possible that he returns to the infield as well, or at the very least operates as a hybrid infielder/outfielder and moves around the diamond with regularity, as Ben Zobrist and others have done in recent years.
Desmond, though, isn’t without his red flags. He did slump to finish out the year, falling off the table with a .249/.297/.305 batting line over his final 229 plate appearances. Strikeouts have also long been an issue for Desmond, and though he improved in that regard in 2016, his 23.6 percent strikeout rate was still three percent worse than the league average, while his 6.5 percent walk rate was about two percent below average.
It seems likely that with the Rangers set to lose both Desmond and Carlos Gomez to free agency, they’ll at least talk to Desmond’s new representatives at CAA about a reunion, and if he elects to sign elsewhere, Texas will receive a compensatory draft pick at the end of the first round of the 2017 draft. To this point, the Orioles have already been rumored to have interest in Desmond, though comments from GM Dan Duquette call into question whether Desmond will fit into Baltimore’s price range. MLBTR ranked Desmond ninth on our Top 50 free agent list and pegged him for a four-year, $60MM pact on the open market.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Amazing…strikes out a ton…and seems to be really prone to slumps and rejects 17.2 million….ok, who is giving him a 100, for 5 years?
Probably no one, but given this year’s poor class, I can see 4/68.
4/65. To Boston! Trade Bradley plus 3 mores prospects for Sale
I…..like this idea. Don’t see it happening obviously, but the premise is appealing.
Traditionally, the teams that come along and sign Ranger free agents are the Astros and Angels. I could see Moreno having to be tied to a wall to stop from pursuing Desmond, but I think the Astros will look at him for sure and would overpay to get him.
I wouldn’t be completely happy with a corner outfielder with those numbers. If I needed an infielder I might try him out there. I think he might have made the wrong decision on a QO 2 years in a row. Heyward showed how bad a signing a good glove corner OF with good, not great numbers can be. OBTW, Arlington is a severe hitters park.
4/$60M? Not for me thanks.
You think Desmond fires his agent if he doesn’t get the contract he thinks he’s going to command?
I think he already did switch agents about a month ago.
Above Avg in CF 20/20, please tell me HOW that compares to Heyward as “Glove” only? You can’t be serious.
Globe Life isn’t that much of a hitters park any more.
Arlington is not a severe hitters park. Look at the offensive output for both home and away teams at the ballpark since the renovations in 2012. Huge difference. Players have been saying this for the past 4 seasons.
I think he should have taken the offer.
Anxious for the return of DC’s “Prodigal Son”.
Why is Desmond an afterthought while Fowler is sought after? Their games are a bit different, but I don’t get it. Is it the defense? He’s lucky to get 17 million when he only plays 120 games a year.
I haven’t heard that suggested. We pegged both in the same range of free agent value. But Dex has been a better and more consistent hitter over the last 3 years.
Many complain about Desmond’s strikeouts and some will point to an expectedly lower BA. That aside, the “chase” for Fowler among the MLB seems to be more considerable despite there not being the wow factor you see in superstars (even though he is well-rounded). I know he plays an in-demand position, and that’s part of it. I guess I’m a little biased.
Desmond might be my favorite player – love what a stand-up guy he is and he’s fun to watch when he’s on – but I think Dex is a slightly better asset right now.