Report: Rockies, Ian Desmond agree to five-year, $70 million deal

The Colorado Rockies have reportedly agreed to a deal with free agent outfielder Ian Desmond.

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with free agent outfielder Ian Desmond, accordingto Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The deal is pending a physical.

Desmond hit .285 with 22 home runs and 21 stolen bases last year for Texas. Rosenthal reports Desmond, who played primarily centerfield for the Rangers after playing exclusively at shortstop for the Nationals for seven years, will play in the outfield and at first base in Colorado.

ESPN’s Jim Bowden reports the deal includes an option for a sixth year that would raise the overall value of the contract to $83 million.

The Rockies must likely sort out an outfield logjam that includes Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Gerardo Parra and David Dahl. Desmond appears unlikely to play the infield with Trevor Story and D.J. LeMahieu apparently entrenched up the middle.

Colorado must give up the No. 11 pick in next year’s draft to sign Desmond.