11:38am: Desmond will earn $8MM in 2017, $22MM in 2018, $15MM apiece in 2019 and 2020, and then $8MM in 2021, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (Twitter links). The 2022 option is valued at $15MM and comes with a $2MM buyout. Additionally, if he’s traded, Desmond will receive a $1MM bonus and pick up full no-trade protection from that point forward.
10:33am: The Rockies have stunned many around the game, reportedly agreeing to a five-year, $70MM contract with free agent infielder/outfielder Ian Desmond, pending a physical. Colorado will forfeit the top unprotected pick (No. 11 overall) in next year’s draft in order to sign Desmond, who rejected a qualifying offer from the Rangers at season’s end. Desmond is a client of CAA Sports.
Desmond, 30, spent the bulk of the 2015 season mired in a woeful slump at the plate and had to settle for a one-year deal in his first trip through the free-agent process last winter. That pact came with an $8MM guarantee and a position change, but Desmond handled the new role with aplomb. He played a solid left field before shifting to center and performing reasonably well, given his lack of experience at the position, while also bouncing back with a .285/.335/.446 batting line, 22 homers and 21 steals on the offensive side of the ball. That newfound versatility undoubtedly played a role in pushing his market up to the five-year threshold.
[Related: Updated Colorado Rockies Depth Chart]
Colorado hasn’t been listed as a suitor for Desmond — the Rockies have David Dahl, Charlie Blackmon, Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra in the outfield — but his addition does open some possibilities for GM Jeff Bridich to get creative with his roster. Initial reports suggest that Desmond will spend most of his time at first base for the Rockies — Bridich has hinted in recent days that he felt he could play at the top of the market for first base — though from my vantage point, there’s also merit to the idea of shifting Gonzalez to first and pushing Parra into a bench role. Desmond isn’t likely to see much time anywhere else in the infield, though, as the Rockies have an outstanding trio rounding out their infield corps in shortstop Trevor Story, second baseman DJ LeMahieu and superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado.
Of course, the Desmond addition also further opens the number of trade possibilities that Bridich and his staff can explore. Blackmon and Gonzalez have been oft-speculated trade candidates in the past and could theoretically be moved in order to help fill other areas of need on the roster. Colorado figures to be on the hunt for pitching help and some more certainty behind the plate as the offseason wears on. The addition of Desmond seems to be a clear signal, though, that none of those veteran outfielders would be moved merely for prospects. The five-year commitment and forfeiture of the top unprotected pick in next year’s draft is a decisive win-now move, so any further roster machinations should be in that same vein.
Rockies owner Dick Monfort has previously stated that his team’s payroll will rise to record levels in 2017, and the addition of Desmond looks to immediately ensure that. The deal could certainly be backloaded to soften the blow in 2017, but assuming an evenly distributed $14MM annual structure, the Rockies project to have a payroll in excess of $126MM. That’s about $14MM greater than the team’s Opening Day mark from 2016, and the Rockies still have other areas to address (as noted earlier).
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement (via Twitter). Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the contract length (Twitter link), and FanRag’s Jon Heyman tweeted the $70MM guarantee. ESPN’s Jim Bowden tweeted news of the sixth-year option.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Anyone who says they saw this coming is a flat out liar.
Well that’s minus one on the free agent competition
I saw this coming
I called this one
Hello? Ian, you ever played 1B?
Or Dahl to the White Sox for Abreu
That actually some what makes sense but Rockies prbly reluctant to part with Dahl they see him as a player with a huge ceiling
Ha ha ha are you serious? That would never happen.
more like Dahl for Quintana
Wow… Darkhorse
Ok I better see a “Cardinals Acquire Blackmon” headline today.
Adams, Weaver or Flaherty, and Marco Gonzales. That would work for me.
Done! Where do I sign?
I agree.. Although after sign Desmond to play first they are clearly trying to complete and may hang on to him now.
Switch out Gonzalez with Wacha, and that might do it.
How many good position players do the Rockies need?
About to trade one of them for relief pitching is my guess.
Baltimore would be a good fit. They need a left-handed outfielder and have a deep pen.
Blackmon to the O’s for Brach, top 5 prospect, and top ten pitching prospect
I’d love to get Blackmon…but that’s a little too much.
With Baltimore’s farm system I don’t think that would be enough
Relief?! How about any pitching.
8
Good for them. Hope he mashes
He has crushed at Coors over the years. Depending on how they re-jigger things, could be a great add.
That’s only because he was facing Colorado pitching
So true, but he need a new venue, got it in Texas and bloomed… good for him
Blackman, like CarGo, is another great Coors hitter. His average in Denver: .334. his avearge away from coors: 261. interesting, he has same number of HR’s on the road and at home….but HUGE RBI difference in Denver. Buyer beware on both these guys. But if you’re looking for a great fantasy player this year, Desmond would be the guy.
Interesting fit
But why? They have Dahl, Blackmon, and Gonzalez in the outfield now. Wait…they’re probably going to trade Blackmon now aren’t they
Don’t forget Parra as well.
My thoughts exactly. Makes me think they have something pretty much in place for Blackmon.
Has to be another trade in place with one of their outfielders. The Cardinals in play?
There’s also the Nats too. They lost on Sale, losing on Davis, and have gotten nowhere with McCutchen. Maybe Blackmon is their target now
my guess would be the infield
He’s gonna play 1b apparently
They’ve got to have a deal in place for 1 or even 2 of Blackmon/CarGo/Parra. They have the opportunity now to get some more pitching back in a trade
Then will the Rox trade Blackmon/CarGo?
I think the Rockies will now trade both Blackmon and Cargo for some good pitching.
If I have a good pitcher, why would I trade them for Coors Field hitters? Blackmon & Carlos are great at home and mediocre at best away from Denver. Maybe trade a pitching prospect but not an established good pitcher. Maybe STL sends Adams and a class A pitcher for either.
Haha, what? Adams and a Class A pitcher for CarGo? There may be some road/home splits, but don’t be insulting.
SOME road/home splits? CarGo was 18-64 .320 at Coors and a mere 7-36 .276 on the road. Take away Denver and those numbers are worth $20 million bucks?? Blackmon was different. He only hit about 10 points less on the road and just 12 fewer RBI’s and actually had more HR’s away from Coors. Plus, he’s a CF so his value is higher. But I think you greatly overvalue Coors hitters. There’s a reason why none are in the HOF yet and not likely to in the near future. Besides, Adams could go wild there. Matt has a 400 average in that air!
They will still suck! Have no pitching.
One of best groups of young pitchers in baseball. Check into it sometime.
He’s right, Hoffman and Gray are no joke.
Moll, Sentanzla are also no joke too
The numbers don’t look good, because Colorado, but those guys are all solid. They have the pitching to make things interesting. I don’t know if you’d ever get an “elite” rotation in Colorado, but they should have more than enough going forward when paired with that offense.
Hey you forgot Anderson and Chatwood too!
You can always tell the guys who don’t pay attention to what year it is and just assume things stayed the same. Rockies have a great group of starters working up.
Trade CAR-GO
phew
My thoughts exactly.
haha
Still want Fowler? Mo better grow a pair and get someone good. If he goes out and gets a defensive type CF I would love to see the Cardinals si EE for 4 years to play at 1B.
Does this open up a possible Cardinals/Rockies trade for Blackmon, now that Desmond can play outfield for the Rockies?
I sure hope man. I sure hope
…..WHAT? Is he going to pitch or play first base?
1B
Wow. Didn’t see this coming at all. That’s a good pick up for that team.
This blows my mind. I understand that GM’s don’t want to do anything rash and let the market play out, but all that Mozeliak does is sit on his ass. I would have preferred Gomez or Desmond in STL, and now fear they will sell what little farm they do have for an even more mediocre player.
Cardinals have made an offer for fowler, and signed a relief pitcher. He’s not sitting on his ass. There are lots of moving pieces this offseason, still plenty of options to pursue
I love when people assume GM’s are “sitting on their ass” because they didn’t sign a player. You can sit down and negotiate an amazing deal with a player (or handfuls of players) in an offseason and watch them choose another team for any number of reasons. If you honestly think your GM is just sitting around waiting for things to happen then you are crazier than your post sounds.
Man you’re impatient. Just cuz Mo hasn’t made a move at the exact time you want him to doesn’t mean he’s sittin on his ass; he’ll do something
This was a massive overpay for an extremely overrated brand name. Cardinals are smarter than compete with that signing. Yuck. Now trade us blackmon or cargo, thanks
Which outfielder do they trade now?
If they want Quintana, gotta be Dahl. But it’s probably Blackmon.
Makes no sense unless it sets up a trade.
This helps the Pirates leverage in Cutch trade talks, though.
I have no idea why the Nats didn’t just sign Ian Desmond. He could play CF or SS and would have filled the CF need while providing depth at SS if Turner got hurt.
It might hurt as well rockies now can offer up a cf and or another outfielder.
Bad juju. Too early to bring him back.
Or maybe they simply wanted to keep their pick. Thought it would turn out to be more valuable than he would
This can only mean that either Blackmon is being traded, or that the Rockies are going to try and convert Desmond to 1st base. I’m leaning towards the former although that also most likely means one of my favorite Rockies is gone
Blackmon and McGee for Harris, Pompey, Greene, Goins, Pentecost and Ramirez?
I like the Blackmon and McGee but would trade Travis,Smoak,Harris,And a couple of lower level prospects. I’d make a platoon at second of Barney/Goins with Gurreill waiting in the minors. Rockies could then use Lemeihue (spelt wrong) for some pitching. This would give the Rockies about $15+ mil to free up to sign a 1st baseman if they don’t see Smoak as an everyday option. Fills some big needs for the Jay’s in the outfield/leadoff hitter, left-hand and a lefty out of the pen that isn’t just a Loogy. McGee needs out of Coors field
If they don’t see smoak as an everyday option, there is no way they would consider this deal. They already have a pretty good second baseman, so the rest of that package is pretty much all they would be trading for
No thanks to both. The Travis, Smoak and Harris deal looks better, but I don’t think the Rockies would want Travis. I would look at moving him in a second deal. Smoak, Harris and another pitching prospect to the Rockies and then maybe try and flip Travis, Loup and other prospects to Pitt for Watson and Harrison. Pirates get financial relief and Jays get second baseman and anothe LH relief pitcher. That gives them 4 potential closers of both deals could work.
If that would work. That’s great deals for us.
Did they just sacrifice their first round pick. As a Yankees fan I’m excited about getting a better draft slot.
Yes
Wouldn’t rule out the Yankees signing Jansen still. Even though Chapman is more favored to sign.
But now that the Yankees move up a slot to #16 in the 2017 draft order, they might not want to. Plus, if the Marlins do sign Jansen instead, the Yankees move up another slot to #15. #15 is pretty solid considering the previous drafts picks (#16,18) they selected were Kaprielian and Rutherford.
The Yankees might not want to sign Jansen****
Desmond loves to hit dingers, so now he’ll have a better chance to do so.
Wtf? Seems like a weird place for him to sign since he seems like he would be the kind of guy to want to play on a competitive team and Rockies front office, are you joking?
Desmond probably would want to play on a competitive team, but I bet he still wants money and he will take a bigger payday over a ring.
I’m surprised, I thought Trumbo was the big free agent target
Yeah, bye Parra. Go to SFplease
Craziest Signing of the Off Season!
Wow. Good for him. I can’t think of anyone that has given up more guaranteed money than he has over the last few years.
Dexter Fowler just got real happy. Would think this means a Blackmon trade is coming but just heard the Rox plan on putting Desmond at first so who knows.
Waste of a good player to a crappy team
That’s an overpay. Is he going back to SS?
Heard of Trevor Story?
Yankees should attempt a 3 team trade involvimg gardner maybe some lower specs n cash for blackmon he’s a great hitter on a good salary put him in LF i just dont know who thr 3rd team cpuld be
So you want to give up a high priced player who is aging and unimportant prospects and get a younger, cheaper, better player in return. Good luck with that
lol. Gardner and who else? Judge? Severino? Gardner is old, expensive, and puts up avg-ish numbers these days. Glove work only goes so far.
Wish Ian well with the Rockies, but loving that number 11 pick the Rangers just got.
They get a sandwich pick not 11.
That’s not how it works. They get a Comp pick at the end of the first round.
They don’t get the 11th pick, they get a supplemental pick at the end of the 1st round
You are correct, Rangers get 11th pick:
Source: Desmond with #Rockies is multi-year. Likely will play 1B and also OF. Rox forfeit No. 11 pick in draft, first unprotected selection.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2016
They don’t get it they just forfeit the 11 pick and the Rangers get a compensation pick after the 1st round.
Yup and everyone else just moves up a slot
Dumpster Diving, Wheelin and Dealin Dan Duquette better get on the phone and find out what it would take to get Blackmon or Dahl…. O’s need a left handed hitting outfielder… pass on Parra and the 1 yr rental Gonzalez… O’s have bullpen arms available
Yep. O’s one of more obvious trade partners now. Blackmon for Brach or Givens plus whatever their best prospect is?
for Brach… and any prospect other than Sisco or Mancini… although I’m sure Colorado would rather have the arms instead of those guys
Best prospect? Maybe if Blackmon wasn’t 30.
Trade Parra y CarGon for starting pitchers.
Sign Carter at 1B
They basically could just sign Trumbo as since they already gave up their first rounder it doesn’t hurt to give up their next best pick
This Rockies lineup is the scariest I’ve ever seen! I mean honestly, as long as their pitching is mediocre, who knows, they could have a playoff shot!
Cargo to the Giants. That right field was built for him.
They’re going to use Desmond as a first baseman?? What?
I think EE at 80m/4 years would have been more valuable. He is a game-changer. My guess is that his agent remains too greedy despite what looks like a poor market.
Also it’s not clear he can play first for a full season. Very risky signing for an NL team.
Unexpected signing
It allows for trade of outfielder(s).
I think Cargo will be shipped to Toronto in a multiplayer trade. Jays have a strong starter staff perhaps liriano or estrada as they also have one year remaining on their deals.
A great signing today. What a surprise..
Strong but no depth. Every Jays fan keeps bringing up Stroman in every trade scenario but beyond him is nothing unless you expect Biagini to take over. Honestly cant see the Jays making many if any trades because the prospects arent super high value, nor numerous enough for the FO to value them as low as they probably are. I think this year is free agents or bust
Rather see Blackmon shipped to Toronto or forget about it. And we need this starting line-up. Biagini is going to stay in the pen or switch with Liriano, or Liriano may also go to the pen.
I feel like this means they’re pretty deep in trade talks for either Blackmon or CarGo. Otherwise why sign a guy as versatile as Desmond and stick him at first
Blackmon to the cards for Matt Adams and a pitching prospect (maybe weaver)
Cards never seemed to like Adams. But as everyone else, he will mash at coors
Doubt Colorado likes Adams much either. Marco, weaver are possible. But at this point, Adams is similar to 3 or 4 internal options
This is surprising to me. I was hoping he’d resign with the Rangers.
Good for Desmond! He is a very good player and will make that offense even better.
For the Rockies, hie versatility opens a lot of avenues for them. Makes Blackmon an even bigger trade target. Blackmon to the Cards for Rosenthal and Adams? Blackmon to the Orioles for Brach and more…Blackmon to the Giants? Or does someone go after CarGo instead? Maybe the just stay how they are and have him or Dahl play 1st. Lots of possibilities!!
Could trade Lemahieu too potentially
I will say this…if he’s going to play 1b for them….this signing makes a lot more sense for them than signing Trumbo or Carter since he gives them defensive flexibility.
Two years from now, the Rockies might have another 1B and lose Cargo or whoever and then Desmond’s a LF. Can’t do that with Trumbo.
Can Desmoond pitch? rockies need pitching
I thought it came out that he hates the infield and now he signs to go play 1st base? That makes no sense. They are probably going to trade cargo and maybe try to trade para but idk who would want him. Then move desmond to the outfield again.
Sorry to say Cardinal Nation, MO will do his usual and sit on his thumbs doing absolutely nothing saving his bullets for signing “low lying fruit” type players later in January / February like he usually does. Same ol’ same ol’!! Get used to watching the Cubs win the Central for the next few years until the turnstiles at Busch quit turning!
You sir are an idiot ^
You’re not “sorry to say”. You spread your clueless garbage all the time.
Jeez so much hate for Mo this offseason lol
Wow. I love the baseball off-season. You just never know what’s gonna happen.
I wonder why the Rockies don’t make a Run at Quintana
They should, that’s a good idea. They got some nice outfielders the Sox might want. Not sure about their prospects.
McMahon is a pretty solid corner bat prospect, which they could use. Tapia would also be a good fit. Maybe Dahl McMahon and a pitching prospect for Quintana?
I’d imagine he would cost pretty close to what sale did seeing as he has one extra year of control. I’d go for it if I was the rox. Might as well after landing Desmond. I’m a dbacks fan and the West ain’t getting any easier that’s for sure.
I love this contract for the Rox. They get a player who can play 6, maybe 7 positions with the flexibility to trade one or two players to fill other holes. The salary distribution could help them add more pieces near term and stay nimble and possibly trade him toward the tail end of the deal.
Interesting that Roster Resource has him playing first…
I don’t get this at all. Nothing wrong with the contract, but this just strikes me as a weird way to go. Forfeiting the #11 pick is a big deal. Better to have signed someone like Carter to 1B for substantially less $ and keep the pick- Carter would have given Rockies the least productive 50 HR season ever, which is still pretty good- and targeted something else.
Otoh, maybe plan is to have Desmond come in and hit 35 HR and then flip him after a year.
They could still get carter and deal other outfielders for pitching stupid to give up pick 11 but still need to wait and see for the rest of their moves.
He’ll be listed at first until cards acquire Blackmon for Adams and others. Adams 1b, Desmond to Blackmons OF spot
Adams is no centerpiece
Yeah why does everyone think that they can trade him for like Eaton or Blackmon?
I never said he was the centerpiece. But involved in the trade therefore becoming the Rockies 1b. Centerpiece would be weaver or bader probably
What a strange contract structure. Anybody have any ideas why the Rox would want to do it this way?
was looking at that myself. rare to see the numbers go up, then back down..only thought was 2019 might be when they give the big deal to Arenado?
Lower while still paying Reyes, higher immediately after Reyes is off the books
The Reyes part makes sense. But then lower again (before potentially higher on the option)?
I saw the structure as a signal that Cargo will be traded at the deadline to recoup assets. Desmond gets 22mil the year cargo’s 20 mil comes off the books and allows the contract to not be backloaded and become an albatross but still valuable enough to get him to sign. Not many, if any, 70 million+ dollar deals where the first and last guaranteed years are the lowest money in the deal. Brilliant structure in my opinion.
And this is why the Rockies should have sold at the deadline and ranked down the stretch. Then they could have beaten out the Angels for that #10 pick and not have to forfeit their first rounder.
tanked*
Adams is not that good. The Rockies wouldnt even want him at all. I’m sick of hearing his name in trade talks for good players.
This!
Just read where they are gonna have Desmond at 1B.
11th pick for desmond…
Yup…. but hey, it benefits the other teams behind them in that first round.
Would Bauer get for Blackmon get some talks going with the Tribe?
Odd annual pay pattern… Any takes on why the Rockies would set it up that way?
This is why the Rockies suck and will continue to suck.
This is dumb on so many levels
Blackmon to the Tribe, platoon Chisenhall santana at first? Or better yet add Chisenhall in the trade!
Why. This makes no scene,. Why do we need him?? Why not something the Rockies need. Like a bullpin, core group, so we can win games and be better then 500 at best. Idk what they are thinking and probley never know. But they are very stupid.stupid.
Theres no way the Rockies are actually gonna play him at first. He’s a really good defender. They have to move someone to first and bench Parra. This makes no sense. Maybe they trade blackmon dahl or cargo for pitching.
This may be the worst signing of last 3 years. $70 million for a good not great player and also give up 11th pick in the draft. By a team that is going nowhere. Makes you shake your head.
must not be a good draft year pick 11 and 13 gone to qualifying offer