There have been rumors about the Washington Nationals trading Ian Desmond, and news from today may confirm why. In a minor move, the team signed first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp.
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals "haven't had any significant negotiations" with Desmond and his agent about a contract extension. The 29-year-old reportedly rejected the team's six-year, $80-$90 million extension last offseason, so it's unclear where the two sides stand at this point. Instead, they reached an agreement for two years and $17.5 million to avoid arbitration.
What we do know is Washington has tried to trade him a few times this offseason. The team was in discussions with the Seattle Mariners back in December that would have sent Desmond to the West Coast, but the talks never really gained traction, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted. And most recently, the Nationals discussed a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets that would have made Desmond a Met, while Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar would have went to Washington. However, the trade fell through when the Mets refused to give the Rays two of their three top prospects.
Desmond will become a free agent after the 2015 season, which is likely why the Mets did not want to surrender young talent for a one-year rental. In six seasons with the Nationals, the shortstop has slashed .270/.317/.431 with 91 home runs, 370 RBIs and 109 stolen bases.
Watch for the Nats to either let Desmond walk or have him traded before the deadline because they acquired prospect shortstop Trea Turner from the San Diego Padres earlier this offseason in a three-team trade that sent Wil Myers to the Pads and Steven Souza Jr. to the Tampa Bay Rays.
In other Nationals' news, the team signed first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp to a minor-league deal, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The 28-year-old will earn $1 million if he makes the team. Carp spent 2014 with the Boston Red Sox (42 games) and Texas Rangers (17 games) after he was claimed off waivers. In only 126 at-bats, he slashed .175/.289/.230 with 11 runs scored and 13 RBIs last season.
Carp will join veterans Heath Bell and Ian Stewart among the others Washington signed to minor-league contracts. In six MLB seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers, the former ninth round pick has batted .254/.330/.414 with 27 home runs and 127 RBIs.
