Ian Desmond finally got his long-awaited long-term contract, agreeing to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Colorado Rockies after a make-good season that nearly made up for money he turned down in 2015, a source familiar with the contract told Yahoo Sports. The deal is pending a physical.
Desmond, 31, famously turned down a seven-year, $107 million offer from the Washington Nationals in 2014 only to struggle in 2015 and take a one-year, $8 million deal from the Texas Rangers. While he was one of the best players in the American League in the first half, Desmond struggled in the second half, leaving potential suitors wary as to his Jekyll-and-Hyde ways.
His versatility, on the other hand, was a big sell, as Desmond has played two positions – shortstop for seven seasons and center field last year – that teams covet and in short supply during this weak free agent class. Desmond is considered a strong baserunner, too, making up, in part, for a dreadful strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Despite the poor second half, Desmond finished last season hitting .285/.335/.446, good enough for the Rangers to tender him a qualifying offer. By signing Desmond, the Rockies will lose their first-round pick, No. 11 overall, in the 2017 draft and Texas will receive a compensation pick in between the first and second rounds.
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