Free-agent MLB shortstop Ian Desmond is reportedly drawing interest on the open market, as he prepares for the next phase of his career.
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White Sox Among Teams Interested in Desmond
Thursday, Feb. 11
After spending his first seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, Desmond may well leave the nation’s capital. The multiple potential suitors includes the Chicago White Sox, as reported by MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Desmond had a bit of a down year at the dish with a career-low .233 batting average in 2015, but he has missed only 18 regular-season games over the past three seasons and plays a key position in the infield. The 30-year-old should be able to command a solid payday whether he remains in Washington or not.
The White Sox have already bolstered their infield this offseason with the additions of second baseman Brett Lawrie and third baseman Todd Frazier. Bringing Desmond into the fold would go even further to bolster optimism for 2016 and beyond.
Any team mulling Desmond has to bear in mind he not only has seen his production dip at the plate in recent years, but his fielding has continued to be erratic.
Desmond made a whopping 27 errors and has had at least 20 in four of the past five seasons. That has to be at least part of the reason he has yet to be signed so close to the dawn of spring training.
MLB.com’s Phil Rogers referenced one factor earlier this month that may be causing the White Sox to hesitate on making the acquisition:
It may be a bit of a pipe dream for Chicago fans to count on Desmond, but a change of scenery may be what the former All-Star needs to bounce back; there’s reason for him to believe in a viable future and fresh start in Chicago.
The same can’t be said with regard to the Nationals. Manager Matt Williams was fired after last season as Washington couldn’t live up to World Series expectations. Plenty of talent remains on the roster, but Desmond could be a big contributor to a White Sox turnaround.
For all the deserved attention the Cubs garnered with their trip to the National League Championship Series this past postseason, their city rival is doing all it can to produce a contender of its own.
The White Sox are deploying a dicier plan, though. They are banking on free-agent quick fixes to help bounce back from a 76-86 record, whereas the Cubs have a burgeoning young core that figures to build on its recent success.
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