MLB Rumors: Ian Desmond to sign with Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies have reached an agreement with free agent Ian Desmond. He will play first base and outfield.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Colorado Rockies have signed free agent Ian Desmond. The deal is for five years and $70 million, also confirmed by Rosenthal. With the Rockies, Desmond will play first base and a little bit of outfield, marking another transition for the former shortstop.
Source: Desmond with #Rockies is multi-year. Likely will play 1B and also OF. Rox forfeit No. 11 pick in draft, first unprotected selection.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2016
Desmond famously turned down a potential $100 million-plus extension with the Washington Nationals, and then turned down a $15.8-million qualifying offer from the Nats last offseason. He was forced to settle for a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers for $8 million. The 31-year-old All-Star and Silver Slugger finally gets the long-term deal he had been seeking.
This is a very interesting move by the Rockies who finished 75-87 last season. They are in need of a first baseman, but Desmond has never played the position. He did transition well enough to center field last season in Texas, but first base is an entirely different animal. His natural athleticism allowed him to succeed in the outfield, but the footwork and positioning at first base are an entirely different set of skills.
With the Rangers last season, Desmond slashed a respectable .285/.335/.446 with 22 homers and 21 steals. He was able to re-establish his value after struggling in his walk year. There should still be cause for concern over his numbers, as he fell off significantly in the second half to the tune of a .237/.283/.347 line with a wRC+ of just 65. The Rockies do need a first baseman, but could have signed Chris Carter without forfeiting a draft pick, something worth considering for a team that is still figuring out how to win.
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Desmond is not a bad player, but he is a strange fit for a team like the Rockies, who also made a puzzling decision to sign Gerardo Parra for three years and $27.5 million last season despite already having a crowded outfield.
Again, no knock on Desmond, whose speed and power should play well in the thin air of Coors Field, but this is a big reach for the Rockies. It’s a win-now move as the team looks to capitalize on the prime years of Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez, but as is always the case, the Rockies may not have the pitching to seriously threaten in the NL West.