Time to Buy Low on Ian Desmond?

In the two years prior to the 2015 season I already had posts up on the blog thinking about the next season’s free agent class, potential trade partners and hopeful additions coming to the club. Basically to put it plainly I had already given up on the season and I was pulling the whole “there’s always next year” plug. This year is different for me though because I feel like this team is a playoff team and potentially a special kind of team but other beat writers and bloggers are already focusing on the 2016 season despite the team’s success this season. When I got home the other night and opened my web browser I already saw a certain someone, Ken Davidoff, linking a certain team, the New York Yankees, to a certain free agent to be, Ian Desmond. What?

Ian Desmond is the Washington Nationals shortstop that is taking the brunt of the blame for the team’s struggles this season. The Nationals have suffered probably more key injuries than any team in Major League Baseball this season and Desmond, who has been healthy for much of the season, has not done his part to pick up the slack in his teammate’s absence, especially in the first half. While Desmond has been much better, although still a far cry from his breakout seasons in 2013 and 2014, in the second half many are linking him to New York as he sprints towards free agency this winter, should the Yankees bite?

Obviously selling Desmond on New York would be a hard sell because it would come with a position change to second base. The Yankees have Didi Gregorius at shortstop currently and after showing and preaching patience for much of the first two months of the season that has all paid huge dividends for the team. Gregorius has been one of the best Yankees hitters the last two or three months and has showed the ability to play stellar defense in or out of the shadow of the great Derek Jeter. Desmond would have to be willing to move to second base to supplant Stephen Drew and Robert Refsnyder if he came to New York and I just can’t see him doing that.

Desmond is still young enough where he shouldn’t be worried about chasing a ring or a potential championship, he is going to be chasing the money and security of a long-term contract this winter. Desmond plays a premium position well at shortstop that is known for its anemic offensive players, not that there are many Robinson Cano’s in their prime’s at second base either, and moving to a team that is trying to get under the luxury tax threshold in a couple of seasons just doesn’t make sense. If Desmond could hit like he did prior to 2015 and the Yankees could buy low on him with the expectations of him going to second base then sign me up. If not then I think I’ll have to pass.