Ian Desmond rejected his $15.8 million qualifying offer from the Washington Nationals, per MLB.com’s William Ladson, and suitors are already starting to emerge for the free-agent shortstop.
Continue for updates.
Padres Interested in Desmond
Friday, Nov. 13
Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the news and provided a key update shortly after Desmond passed on the Nationals’ offer:
“Desmond has draft-pick compensation attached to him after receiving and then turning down the qualifying offer,” NBC Sports’ Bill Baer noted. “As a result of finishing with one of the 10 worst records in baseball in 2015, the Padres’ first-round draft pick is protected, so they would give up a second-round pick instead.”
Desmond spent the first seven years of his career in the nation’s capital, but he may be looking for a change of scenery ahead of the 2016 season.
The 30-year-old struggled throughout the 2015 season, batting a career-worst .233 with 19 home runs and 62 RBI, but Desmond’s .292 and .280 averages during the 2012 and 2013 campaigns, respectively, highlighted his tremendous offensive capabilities.
After San Diego shortstop Alexi Amarista batted a putrid .204 with a .257 on-base percentage last season, it’s not hard to see why the club is looking for an upgrade in the infield.
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