Aug 17, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Ian Desmond (20) drives in two runs with a single in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with free agent outfielder/infielder Ian Desmond, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
The versatile Desmond primarily played center field for the Texas Rangers in 2016 after playing exclusively at shortstop for the Washington Nationals for seven seasons.
Desmond will play in the outfield and at first base in Colorado, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
The 31-year-old Desmond hit .285 with 22 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 156 games for the Rangers last season. For his career, he is hitting .267 with 132 homers and 518 RBIs.
The Rockies must give up the No. 11 pick in the 2017 draft to sign Desmond, and the Rangers will receive a compensation pick somewhere between the first and second rounds.
Desmond turned down a seven-year, $107 million offer from the Nationals in 2014 only to struggle in 2015 and take a one-year, $8 million deal from the Rangers in February.
