Now that MLB and the MLBPA have worked out a new collective bargaining agreement, the hot stove is really starting to heat up.
Not long after the Astros signed Carlos Beltran, we learned the other team in Texas is working to sign a free agent outfielder of their own. Talks between the Rangers and Ian Desmond have "intensified."
#Rangers negotiations with free agent Ian Desmond have intensified in recent days, source says. @MLB@MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 3, 2016
Ian Desmond, who recently turned 31, is expected to sign a 4-year deal, according to one source with knowledge of his market.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 3, 2016
Last offseason, Desmond got hung out to dry by the qualifying offer. It wasn't until late February that the Rangers agreed to give up their first-round pick to sign him, but for that to happen, he had to take a little one-year contract ($8 million) and agree to move to the outfield.
Desmond made that investment worthwhile for the Rangers, as the 31-year-old hit .285/.335/.446 (104 OPS+) with 22 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He also went to the All-Star Game. It was a tale of two seasons for Desmond though. Check out his first- and second-half splits:
| PA | AVG/OBP/SLG | OPS+ | HR | SB | BB% | K% | |
| First Half | 384 | .322/.375/.524 | 141 | 15 | 15 | 7.3% | 24.5% |
| Second Half | 293 | .237/.283/.374 | 72 | 7 | 6 | 5.5% | 22.5% |
Desmond hit .233/.290/.384 (82 OPS+) with 19 home runs and 13 stolen bases with the Nationals in 2015, so looking over the last two years, the first half of the 2016 season is the outlier, not the second half. That's sort of scary.
It's unclear how close the Rangers and Desmond are to a deal, or whether other clubs are involved. Desmond took to the outfield well this past season, so he could market himself as a versatile player capable of playing shortstop or the outfield. That would open up his market a bit.
The Rangers did make Desmond the qualifying offer after the season. They won't have to give up their first-round pick to re-sign their own free agent, but other teams will have to give it up to sign him.
