DENVER – Confused, shocked and bemused characterize most of the reactions to the Colorado Rockies inking of Ian Desmond to a five-year deal worth a baseline $70 million. Perhaps more bewildering is the fact that Colorado plans to play the shortstop-turned-outfielder at first base, a position he has never played in the pros. But just because it looks wrong on paper or in terms of paper, doesn’t mean Denver dispensed dinero defectively with Desmond. In fact, the Rockies did not delineate from their plan and it seems as though they have actually found the decorous solution to their confoundment.
While the Rockies have kept their plans close to the vest in the Jeff Bridich era they made one thing clear at the Winter Meetings, they are entering a “win now” period. An open checkbook, signed contract and new talent coming to town represent the 2017 Rockies which may be the club’s most exciting in over a half decade.
Desmond does not carry the cache of Edwin Encarnacion or even that of Mark Melancon but he remains a four-time All-Star and may be the franchise’s biggest splash into the market ever. Assuredly Colorado’s changing approach to the ever-shifting market is captivating in its own right but from the individual standpoint is how the Desmond deal shall be approached.
“I’m gonna get in where I fit here, I’m on board for whatever,” Desmond said
Desmond’s natural position might be short but depending on how you define “natural position” so too is most players in baseball. A majority of big leaguers came up playing shortstop, only to be moved when more athletic players are found, this hadn’t happened to Desmond until last year. This is not a bad thing, rather a good one. It touts Desmond’s athleticism, durability and versatilely even at age 31.
Desmond should be fine in transitioning into a first baseman, he’s been a plus shortstop and solid outfielder over his eight years in the big leagues. The precedent for good shortstops moving to centerfield as they get older is there too, Robin Yount and Ernie Banks stick out as notable. It’s not to say it will be easy to make the transition, more that Desmond should be up to the task.
“I don’t label myself. I want to be a ballplayer,” Desmond replied when asked about the position. “I want to be someone who can help the team … I will keep other tools sharp.”
Because Desmond has played a capable shortstop, second base and outfield at the big league level adding the first baseman’s glove to his bag makes him a super utility guy, but better. When one thinks of these utility players, they’re normally solid players that help glue a ball club together. What one doesn’t think is World Series MVP. But Desmond is closer to the caliber of ballplayer that is Ben Zobrist rather than Daniel Descalso.
He carries a slick bat and multiple gloves, that is far from any knock or bad thing for the Rockies. While it has been made out that Nolan Arenado is greater than Kris Bryant for being able to stick at one position, Bryant’s ability to play anywhere on the field is an added comfort to the Chicago Cubs. Sure Arenado is a greater defensive player, but the point remains Desmond gives the Rockies options and lots of them.
Colorado began to experiment last year with versatilely, playing Ryan Raburn and Gerardo Parra at first base, throwing Tony Wolters at shortstop and even playing Mark Reynolds at second base for a brief time. In the past, the Rockies have done these things out of necessity but with a player like Desmond on the roster, it gives them a bigger safety net and ultimately more options, which in the National League is a huge advantage. In fact, Jeff Bridich went as far to say Desmond would play shortstop if Trevor Story were to miss time due to an injury. A situation which arose last year and never was really solved.
“I like coming here, I always enjoy coming to Colorado, I always enjoy this city, I always enjoy the people in this city,” Desmond explained his excitement. “I’ve got three little boys and I want to raise them in a place that has common views… I wanted to come here last year, this was my number one.”
It hasn’t oft occurred over the two-plus decades of Rockies Baseball that a player wanted to be in Colorado that badly. And for that Desmond is a great fit. His willingness to suit up in the purple pinstripes signifies the leadership and intangibles he will bring.
His right-handed bat will slide perfectly into the Rockies lineup. While most just look at the projected starting nine of a club, it’s important, especially in the NL, to remember there are 25 players on a team. The teams that go far into October usually need all 25 if not more to play effectively. If nothing else this gives the Rockies a more talented, more versatile option than they previously had.
“There are certainly other priorities for this team as well. I don’t think that our offseason is done yet. But Ian’s our first baseman,” Jeff Bridich let it be known.
While it’s easy to get caught up about the whole first base thing, you shouldn’t. Talent wins out in sports, players make plays and the Rockies added a good one in Desmond.
“This is a tough division, there’s no doubt about it, but so what,” Desmond asked. “We’ve got a good team and we’re only gone get better, I don’t think anyone is sleeping on us, it’s gonna be fun, it’s gonna be a fun summer.”
His abilities, as well as his attitude, should be enough to make him a more-than-capable big league first baseman.
“I think the general term is gonna be a fight, my mom taught me how to fight, she is the best, she taught me how to be who I am,” Desmond looked back. “Her work ethic is unbelievable, she’s been working since a really young age, she grew up in a family of eight, and she’s still working now. Hopefully, we can get her off that but she loves it and her work ethic is second to none and as a kid, she always did what she had to do to provide for us and my step Dad did the same. Playing every day is a fight, you have to decide that it is something you want to go after and you wake up in the morning you suck it up and you get out there because that is what you’re paid to do, that’s the way I see it. That’s the way my Mom taught me, the harder you work the more you can provide for your family. I try to keep as much of a blue collar attitude towards it that I can. And I love to play baseball, I love baseball. My father passed away when I was 18 months old, he was 46 years old, I don’t know when my last day is going to be and I don’t ever want to step on the field over something so small that I sleep at night and say I could’ve played through that, I’m gonna go out there and give it what I got unless the manager says otherwise and I’ll probably fight him over that too.”
Only once in the past five years has Desmond been a below average offensive player. He hits for average, drives in runs and is a very good baserunner. Desmond could be the swiss army knife of the Rockies lineup in 2017.
To top that, he’s only tabbed to make $8M in 2017. The money will increase to $22M in 2018 followed by $15M, $15M, $8M and 2022 club option $15M with $2M buyout. But the reason this deal works is because the state of the Rockies having a lot of players under team control in the middle of Desmond’s deal. The contract also decreases in value around the time the Rockies will be looking at signing Arenado long term.
The one concerning thing is that the Rockies are on the hook for a lot of money in a player’s age 35, 36 and 37 seasons. Other than that it looks as though Colorado and Desmond is a match made in hot stove heaven.
