Ian Desmond rejected a lucrative contract extension from the Washington Nationals prior to the 2014 season, which did nothing but confirm his time in the nation's capital would be coming to an end after the 2015 MLB season. For quite a while now various rumors have linked him to the San Diego Padres.
Despite having an uncharacteristic campaign during his contract year, Desmond, 30, should still receive lucrative offers, as he's been one of the top shortstops in the MLB over the past four seasons. Aside from his bat, he has one of the best arms among those who play the position as well.
Desmond's comments over the weekend further alluded to his time being over in Washington as his impending free agency looms.
"I know that there's a new chapter looming," Desmond told James Wagner of the Washington Post. "Over the course of my career, I've worn my heart on my sleeve and I've left it all out on the field. I feel like I've given everything I've got over that time. When that chapter closes, it'll be just moving on to the next one."
And here's another clue from the Nationals' Twitter account:
A curtain call for Ian Desmond as Trea Turner comes out to take his place at SS as the top of the 9th begins. Moore in LF, den Dekker in RF.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 27, 2015
A day later, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweeted, "some in the Padres organization like Nationals SS/impending FA Ian Desmond."
Rumors have suggested the Padres will look to address their middle infield this offseason, especially at shortstop, because Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes aren't exactly long-term options at the position. Desmond would be an upgrade in many ways, including his character and clubhouse presence, which Lin also mentioned.
However, his price tag and attachment to a draft pick could be a problem for San Diego.
"Despite a down season, Desmond still could command a large multiyear contract given the weak free agent shortstop class," Wagner added. "The Nationals are expected to extend Desmond a qualifying offer after the season."
The Padres lost their draft pick for 2015 after they signed James Shields in the offseason and they also traded shortstop prospect Trea Turner to the Nationals in the offseason, so they don't have any immediate candidates within the organization to contribute in 2016.
San Diego is guaranteed a draft pick when Justin Upton likely leaves in free agency, but the club might want to keep both selections after general manager A.J. Preller traded a number of the organization's top prospects to acquire Upton, Craig Kimbrel, Wil Myers and Derek Norris.
Additionally, their payroll situation could be an issue. The Pads had a record-setting payroll in 2015 and already have $74.5 million committed to next season, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
Nonetheless, keep an eye on San Diego as one of Desmond's possible destinations this offseason because there aren't many other MLB clubs in dire need of a shortstop as the Padres are.
