Ian Desmond signs one-year, $8 million deal with Rangers
Free-agent shortstop Ian Desmond has signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers, the team announced on Monday. Desmond will earn $8 million in 2016 and will take over as Texas' starting leftfielder.
Desmond, 30, had spent the entirety of his seven-year career with the Washington Nationals as their shortstop and had the chance to sign a long-term contract with the Nationals before the 2014 season but turned down a five-year, $89.5 million extension. Last season turned out to be a disappointment for Desmond, who registered a .233 batting average with 19 home runs and 32 RBIs. He also saw his stolen bases drop from 24 to 13 from the previous season. As a National, Desmond was named to the 2012 National League All-Star team and won three Silver Slugger awards at shortstop.
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Desmond was the final free agent on the market with draft pick compensation; he rejected the Nationals' qualifying offer in November. The Rangers will give up the No. 19 pick in the draft, and the Nationals will receive the No. 29 pick.
