Colorado Rockies In Contact With Ian Desmond, Per Report

The Colorado Rockies have been in contact with Free Agent shortstop Ian Desmond, according to a report by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. With no decision yet on current Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes impending punishment by the commissioner, Colorado could be preparing to fill his position by signing Desmond to a one year deal.

The right-handed hitting short stop has a career .264 average in his six years with the Washington Nationals. Desmond won the Silver Slugger award 3 years in a row beginning with 2012, the same year he participated in the All-Star Game. Despite having a career low .223 batting average last season, Desmond slugged in 19 home runs.

Those numbers could vastly improve given the opportunity to play at hitter friendly Coors Field. If the Rockies needed a short stop tomorrow Trevor Story, the highly touted prospect playing in Triple-A Albuquerque, would be their guy. However, if the organization feels the young man needs more seasoning down in the minors, Desmond would be a good fit for Colorado.

With a platoon of left-handed hitting outfielders, the Rockies can use more right-handed bats in the lineup, especially when facing the Dodgers and their lefty-heavy lineup. Desmond proved he can also hit home runs, launching at least 20 homers three years in a row. This seems like a good insurance move the Rockies should probably pull the trigger on, considering the grim outlook for current shortstop Jose Reyes.

Next: AltiTwo: Rockies Spring Training Pitchers Preview

This week, Isaac and Logan take a deep dive into the pitchers on the expanded Rockies Spring Training roster. They give you six guys who will make an impact, talk about non-roster invitees and pick a top prospect that could make an impact in the majors this year. They also select a way-too-early 12-man pitching roster that they think will be on the Opening Day 25-man roster.