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Talks between the Rangers and centerfielder Ian Desmond have intensified in recent days, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi adds later that Desmond is expected to receive a 4-year deal as a free agent.
However, TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweeted that Rangers club officials are far from optimistic that anything will get done with Desmond.
After hitting .233/.290/.384 with 19 homers and 62 RBI in 641 plate appearances with the Nationals in 2015, Desmond had a long, drawn out offseason when he hit free agency. He didn’t sign until February, when he inked a 1 year, $8 million dollar deal with Texas.
Desmond went on to have a great year with Texas, hitting .285/.335/.446 with 22 home runs, 86 RBI and 21 stolen bases and made the All Star team in a solid comeback campaign.
Texas lost both Carlos Gomez and Desmond to free agency, so they are in need of a centerfielder. A reunion with Desmond would make sense for the Rangers, however they are one of many teams after him, as he had garnered interest from the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Nationals as well.