The Texas Rangers have signed free agent Ian Desmond to a one year deal, per Ken Rosenthal on Twitter. The Rangers will lose their first-round pick for signing Desmond but can recoup a pick by extending a qualifying offer next offseason.
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Desmond’s deal with the Rangers is reportedly a one-year deal.
The 30-year-old was drafted by the Montreal Expos, who became the Nationals, in the third round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Florida. Desmond was a three-time Silver Slugger victor with the Washington Nationals, and had three seasons with at least 20 home runs. 233 batting average and a. 674 OPS, and he also committed 27 errors.
Texas has Adrian Beltre at third base, Elvis Andrus at shortstop and Rougned Odor at second base, so there is no need for Desmond in the infield on a day-to-day basis.
Desmond is expected to be their primary left fielder, but has the chance to play other positions when needed, a person familiar with the situation said.
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Desmond’s presence on the Rangers opens up flexibility for the team. It’s hardly an ideal situation for Desmond, who was once offered – and rejected – a $100 million deal by Washington, but at the age of 30, he’ll have another shot at free agency after the season.
