The Chicago White Sox have been mentioned in rumors regarding Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes, but it's been said the team is only interested in a short-term deal. However, could they shift gears and consider a long-term pact with Ian Desmond?
Upton landed with the Detroit Tigers on a $132.75 million contract. Cespedes is still available, but it's been said he's likely looking for a long-term deal in the wake of the news surrounding Upton.
That could take Chicago out of the running, but Desmond could provide another option. The free-agent shortstop was shunned by the San Diego Padres and his market is not looking good at this point in the offseason considering MLB clubs aren't in dire need of expensive shortstops. Desmond, 30, also has draft-pick compensation tied to him after rejecting the Nationals' qualifying offer.
MLB experts have predicted Desmond might land a deal between $80-$90 million, but at this point it seems highly unlikely because his market is (reportedly) narrow, or even non-existent.
Could he settle for a one-year deal, a shorter multi-year deal, or even a long-term deal with a lower average annual salary? If so, the White Sox could be interested in any of those scenarios.
"[Desmond] presented a challenge to peg back in November, and the mystery only has deepened with the Padres' commitment to the low-cost Alexei Ramirez," writes Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. "The Mets filled their shortstop void with Asdrubal Cabrera, and the Rays will replace Cabrera with trade acquisition Brad Miller. The White Sox, with Tyler Saladino in place for the short term and prospect Tim Anderson projected for the future, could sign Desmond with the plan of playing him at shortstop for now and eventually moving him elsewhere."
Left field could be an option, which was another speculation from earlier in the offseason (which you'll see soon).
"[The White Sox] lost Alexei Ramirez to the Padres via free agency, and their top prospect, Tim Anderson, is not quite ready for the majors," adds ESPN's Jim Bowden. "Desmond would be a perfect short-term fix, and they could trade him in July if Anderson is ready by then."
Earlier in the offseason, ESPN's Buster Olney speculated Desmond might consider signing a one-year deal and instead undertake a super utility role in order to re-establish his value for the 2017 offseason. He endured one of the worst seasons of his career in 2015 when he committed 27 errors in the field and hit just .233/.290/.384 with 69 runs scored, 19 home runs, 62 RBI and 12 stolen bases - many of which were his lowest such totals since the 2011 season.
Still, Desmond is worthy of a multi-year deal. One uncharacteristic season (which unfortunately happened to be his contract year) should not define him as a player. However, with that being said, it also will not help his cause. Yes, his value will undoubtedly decrease as his 2015 campaign raised a number of red flags, but merely speculating one of the best shortstops in the MLB is going to settle for a one-year deal could be considered an extreme viewpoint.
If Desmond became a free agent after the 2014 season many pundits would probably be suggesting he deserves a $150 million deal (he hit .255/.313/.430 with 73 runs scored, 24 home runs, 91 RBI and 24 stolen bases). In this day and age, it's all about "what have you done for me lately." Desmond logged three consecutive All-Star-caliber seasons before his dud in 2015, and yet that is defining him this far into the offseason.
He gambled on himself when he rejected the Nationals' reported $107 million offer a few offseasons ago. The gamble did not pay off and Desmond will suffer the consequences, but they shouldn't be as drastic as signing a one-year deal.
That's why he could be an excellent fit with the White Sox. Desmond can still get a multi-year deal, the White Sox can benefit by paying him below the market price, and he'll have a significant role on a team that figures to contend in 2016.
Desmond figures to be cheaper than Cespedes and he can perhaps provide versatility (if he can play the outfield) that Cespedes cannot. And check out their offensive numbers side-by-side over the past four seasons:
Cespedes from 2012-2015
.271 batting average
334 runs scored
106 home runs
367 RBI
.805 OPS
15.8 WAR
Desmond from 2012-2015
.264 batting average
291 runs scored
88 home runs
306 RBI
.759 OPS
WAR: 12.9
Cespedes' numbers are better, but not by a drastic margain. Additionally, team's would kill for Desmond's offensive numbers produced at the shortstop position.
The White Sox could be one of them.
