Trading Desmond?

[Slateman]

i think turning down that deal is gonna look really stupid for ian next offseason. teams will be throwing money around for the elite SP, i doubt anyone is trying to sign him for anything longer than a 5 year deal. ian desmond at age 36 will suck

He'll get the money. The simple fact that is despite his obvious flaws, Ian Desmond is an elite shortstop and hits for elite power at a position that doesn't have any.

[HalfSmokes]

i think turning down that deal is gonna look really stupid for ian next offseason. teams will be throwing money around for the elite SP, i doubt anyone is trying to sign him for anything longer than a 5 year deal. ian desmond at age 36 will suck

if he repeats last year or worse, I think you're right, if he repeats 2012, I think he gets a contract that shocks us

[Slateman]

if he repeats last year or worse, I think you're right, if he repeats 2012, I think he gets a contract that shocks us

Yes, but we knew that. Honestly, I'm fine with either. I simply don't think that signing Desmond long term is a good idea. For one, it's obvious that this shortcomings cannot be fixed with coaching. He's still striking out a ton and he still is a poor fielder. But he hits for power and will steal 20 stolen bases.

[Gil1957]

Instead of letting Zimmermann walk, they should go back, if it was true to the Cubs and make a deal that involves one of their shortstops and maybe a couple of other players, then let Desmond walk after offering arbitration and get the draft pick.   

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Desi settled for 2 years, $17.5MM last year, so figure he passed on 5 years, $90MM for 2016 - 2020.  That's $18MM AAV.  That would be the second highest AAV ever for a shortstop.  He's in a different posture than Tulo and Andrus, who signed well before free agency.  Reyes got a 6 year deal  for $106MM in 2012, so I guess with inflation and no further decline Desi thinks he can get that, but he'll be older than Reyes when he signed that contract. I'm guessing someone gives him 6 years, at least $100MM, unless he deteriorates further from 2014.

[UMDNats]

By turning down that $107 million offer, Desmond is forced to put up big numbers (2012) in 2015. A lot of pressure on him to produce. I could see him being more aggressive and forcing a little too much. This is a big year for him now. He could get a bigger deal if he produces, or he could be forced to settle for half of that offer.

[varoadking]

Someone will pay him what he wants...but it's not likely that will be the Nats...

[MarquisDeSade]

Reyes got a 6 year deal  for $106MM in 2012, so I guess with inflation and no further decline Desi thinks he can get that, but he'll be older than Reyes when he signed that contract. I'm guessing someone gives him 6 years, at least $100MM, unless he deteriorates further from 2014.

Reyes was also coming off a season where he was the NL Batting Champ and had 16 triples, 39 SB, and a .384 OBP and was 28.  If Desmond and his agent can find someone dumb enough to give him $100M to post a sub .320 OBP and bat seventh more power to them.  I love the guy but he's at best a four year deal at $15M AAV guy at this point.  Anything beyond that is dumb.

[HalfSmokes]

He's a power bat a position lacking power. Logic would say that most GMs would just accept that and try to get a high OBP short stop, but someone will be dumb enough to think that 20 home runs at short should get paid like 40 at left

[Ray D]

He's a power bat a position lacking power. Logic would say that most GMs would just accept that and try to get a high OBP short stop, but someone will be dumb enough to think that 20 home runs at short should get paid like 40 at left

And the irony of it all is, after about three years he'll be too old to play shortstop and he'll move to leftfield, where he'll be paid 18M/year for an additional four years,  to hit 20 homeruns in a postion where 30-40 are expected.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Reyes was also coming off a season where he was the NL Batting Champ and had 16 triples, 39 SB, and a .384 OBP and was 28.  If Desmond and his agent can find someone dumb enough to give him $100M to post a sub .320 OBP and bat seventh more power to them.  I love the guy but he's at best a four year deal at $15M AAV guy at this point.  Anything beyond that is dumb.

It'll also be a 4 season old contract at that point, but yes, if he's only a .313 OBP guy and can't get his K rate below 25% (with him, bith go hand in hand), then he'll be disappointed.   If he is back to a .270+ with a K rate < 25%, then he'll get that OBP back up over .325, his HR totals will stay high, and he'll beat one or both of 5/ $90MM

[nfotiu]

I would like to trade Desmond, play Espinosa at 2nd for cheap.  Better defense and I think his offense is ok in ss and hitting 8th.  Then put Desmond's money into a top 3rd baseman. 

[Ray D]

I would like to trade Desmond, play Espinosa at 2nd for cheap.

You mean at shortstop?

[DPMOmaha]

I would like to trade Desmond, play Espinosa at 2nd for cheap.  Better defense and I think his offense is ok in ss and hitting 8th.  Then put Desmond's money into a top 3rd baseman. 

We've already got one for cheap.

[welch]

A team would have to be sure they could sign Desmond before making the trade. Would not give up much for a one-year deal. Nats might be better off holding to the offer, then making a qualifier. Espinosa cannot hit.

[Clever]

What does it take for Tony Two-Bags to get some respect around here?

[Slateman]

What does it take for Tony Two-Bags to get some respect around here?

Pretty sure we give him a ton of respect. But he can play second or third. Which means we need to get the best second or third baseman we can.

[welch]

What does it take for Tony Two-Bags to get some respect around here?

Rendon needs to play 2B, SS, and 3B simultaneously.

[Slateman]

Rendon needs to play 2B, SS, and 3B simultaneously.

And close

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Rendon needs to play 2B, SS, and 3B simultaneously.

And close

And buy shots at the Jack Daniels bar.

[blue911]

And buy shots at the Jack Daniels bar.

For me

[Slateman]

For me

And me. But not Jack. I don't hate myself. I expect something nice because he's rich.

[mitlen]

I haven't had JD in a long time.    I do crazy sh** when I drink that stuff.    I will take a nice dark rum however.

[Mathguy]

I'll procure you shots of JD Blue - anytime

For me

[whytev]

I haven't had JD in a long time.    I do crazy sh** when I drink that stuff.    I will take a nice dark rum however.

If you're going to get on the whiskey train, you could do better.