The New York Mets will have a few questions to answer once the season ends as Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy will hit free agency. Those two might be out of their price range thanks to their performances over the past couple of months, so the team will be left to consider other options.
The latest rumors indicate the Mets could go after Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond following the World Series. Desmond, 30, had his worst season in the MLB during his contract year and he likely won't command the enormous long-term lucrative contract many believed he would.
He still won't be cheap, but there's a good possibility he doesn't reach nine figures, which means the Mets could be suitors. Desmond rejected a $107 million offer from the Nationals two offseasons ago and he definitely lost money after batting .233/.290/.384 with 27 errors in the field.
"Many think the Mets will be serious players for free-agent shortstop Ian Desmond," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "The Mariners, Padres, White Sox, Twins and others could also be in the Desmond market. He recovered in the second half to play close to his career norm after a poor first half, and still likely will have a robust market, thanks to his talent and potential."
"The chances of Desmond returning to Washington, the only MLB home he has ever known, are very slim. Judging by his comments both leading into the 2015 season and throughout it, Desmond has clearly prepared himself for the possibility of not returning as a National," adds Chase Hughes of Nats Insider.
One thing to keep in mind is draft pick compensation. There's a strong possibility the Nationals present Desmond with the qualifying offer, according to Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, which would then force another MLB team to surrender their first-round draft pick if he signs elsewhere. If Desmond is given the qualifying offer and the Mets look to sign him, it will be the second consecutive season New York relinquishes a draft pick after doing so in 2014 when they signed Michael Cuddyer away from the Colorado Rockies.
However, there is hope because the Nats could give starter Jordan Zimmermann the QO depending on their offseason plans. Washington traded for prospect Trea Turner last offseason, which may have indicated they were moving on from Desmond. Additionally, Zimmermann - who also rejected a number of contract extension offers - is likely to garner more interest on the open market, so he could be a better candidate to give the QO.
As for the Mets, they'll more than likely lose Murphy, which leaves a void in the middle infield. Yes, Dilson Herrera is an option to succeed him at second, but based on the way the team has played it's probable the front office looks to add MLB talent rather than more minor-league talent. This could mean signing Desmond and shifting Wilmer Flores over to second (he played 37 games there this season and 118 in three minor league seasons).
Being that Cespedes is likely to command over $100 million and Murphy could make up to $75 million thanks to his postseason surge, the Mets might determine it's best to pay Desmond, who is one of the top shortstops in the game, provides good veteran leadership and is a solid middle-of-the-order bat (he has 88 home runs over the past four seasons).
