3:23pm: Rangers team officials are “far from optimistic” a deal can be completed with Desmond, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com tweets.
2:40pm: Talks between free agent center fielder Ian Desmond and the Rangers have “intensified” lately, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports writes (Twitter links). Desmond is likely to receive a four-year deal, Morosi adds.
Desmond rejected the Rangers’ qualifying offer last month (as was expected), but it appears he’s ready to listen to other proposals to return to the Rangers, perhaps for a longer term. Desmond hit well for the Rangers in 2016, batting .285/.335/.446 while transitioning fairly seamlessly from shortstop to the outfield. He also impressed the team on a personal level, with GM Jon Daniels saying in October that he appreciated Desmond’s behavior “as a person and [with] the consistency he brought from that standpoint.”
Desmond therefore is in a much stronger position this offseason than he was last year, when he settled for a mere $8MM guarantee after batting .233/.290/.384 in his last year in Washington. MLBTR has predicted that Desmond will receive four years and $60MM on his next contract.
The Rangers are in need of a center fielder after losing both Desmond and Carlos Gomez to free agency. They’ll have to set themselves apart from what might be a large group of suitors to get Desmond back, though, as he’s already reportedly attracted interest from the Nationals, Orioles and Blue Jays.
Let’s get this done. Desmond is not only a great player, but you couldn’t have a better guy in the clubhouse. He makes the Rangers better in every way.
agreed…pay up Rangers!
Since this is the most recent post form Trade Rumors, and I’m a reporter, it only makes sense for me to tell you that-
Marcus Stroman is saying he’ll play for USA in the WBC.
You are a “reporter”? Because you have a computer? Who are you a reporter for? A serious sports reporter would not predict Desmond will sign a 2 year 20 million dollar contract after he turned down a 1 year 18 million qualifying offer. He will get 4 years at 55-60 million. Report that.
lmao
BREAKING: Rangers finalizing multiple year, double digit $ deal with Ian Desmond.
Desmond was a nice player this year for Texas. Great player? Hardly. If the price is right…fine.
It seems like the right place for him.
Someone is gonna pay 50-60 mil for this guy and it’s gonna end up a complete bust.
I’m thinking more of a one or two year contract for maybe $20M.
1yr/10M
2yr/20M
is what I meant.
Why would he sign for a 1 year, he put up good numbers batting and transitioned to center field no problem making him a good option to start at 2 very different major league positions. Not to mention the fact he’s still pretty young, he will sign for no less then 3 years with an option or 4 for 12 or so million a year which is a pretty fair asking price for the numbers he put up both offensively and defensively last year.
Sure pick me he turns down one year $18 million QO from Rangers last month and now he will just sign with the Rangers for one year and $10 million. You really should think some of these things through
Are you insane??? Why would he turn down a one year 18 million dollar qualifying offer to sign for 2 years and 20 million???
He will get 4 years at 55 to 60 million.