Free agent outfielder/shortstop Ian Desmond has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Colorado Rockies sources said. The terms of the new deal is said to be worth $70 million for five years. Although primarily a shortstop throughout his career, Ian Desmond is expected to play 1st base for the Colorado Rockies next season. It's a position Ian Desmond has never played before in his entire career playing professional baseball.
Ian Desmond, 31, spent his first six seasons in the MLB with the Washington Nationals. At the end of February this year, Ian Desmond turned down a qualifying offer from the Washington Nationals. He then signed a one year deal worth $ 8 million to play for the Texas Rangers where he batted .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs.
During his time with the Washington Nationals, Ian Desmond was the staring shortstop. When he signed with the Texas Rangers in 2016, he converted to playing center field.
In one season with the Texas Rangers, Ian Desmond demonstrated his ability to quickly adapt and succeed in a variety of situations.
"He has been able to succeed because of who he is," Texas Rangers outfielders coach Jayce Tingler said. "He is a student of the game. He's got a lot of experience in the big leagues. So when he transferred from shortstop to left and now to center, he used all that experience."
The Colorado Rockies' deal with Ian Desmond is the largest free-agent contract for a position player in franchise history. Pitcher Mike Hampton is the only free agent to land a bigger contract with the Colorado Rockies. Mike Hampton's deal is $121 million which he signed back in 2000.
Sources said that under the new deal, Ian Desmond' annual salaries would be $8 million, $22 million, $15 million, $15 million and $8 million. The deal also includes a $2 million buyout on a $15 million club option for 2022.
The Colorado Rockies signing of Ian Desmond would mean that the franchise would lose their 11th pick of the 2017 draft because Ian Desmond received a qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers.
