Acquisition Of Desmond Smacks Of Desperation

I know it’s Super Tuesday, astronaut Scott Kelly’s coming home after a year in space and we’re all supposed to be doing backflips about the Rangers acquiring Ian Desmond.

But, sorry, I’ve got more than a few issues. Given Josh Hamilton’s flimsy health, obviously Jon Daniels had to make a move. But this?

Bottom line: There was no market for the 30-year-old Desmond, and the Rangers gave him $8 million and are asking him to totally change positions from dirt (shortstop) to grass (left field).

Desmond has hit in the past. He was an All-Star infielder and Silver Slugger winner for the Nationals. But relying on a player whose productivity is plummeting and asking him to play a new position just feels, well, what it is: desperate. He’s got the athleticism to play left field for sure. And a move from infield to left field has been successfully before, most recently and notably by the Royals’ Alex Gordon, who is now a three-time Gold Glove winner and one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball after never playing the position during high school, college or his first five seasons as a pro.

Just feels like the Rangers had other, better options. Jurickson Profar? Joey Gallo? Even newly signed Ike Davis.

Daniels doesn’t swing and miss very often, and he has a history of making something out of nothing with Spring acquisitions. But a moping player with declining skills and a new position just seems like a dicey proposition at best.
 

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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