Rockies lose “first baseman” Ian Desmond to broken hand

Rockies “first baseman” Ian Desmond has a broken hand after being hit by Reds misnomered minor leaguer Rookie Davis yesterday. He will be out for at least a month, according to Nick Groke of The Denver Post.

Desmond was the big offseason acquisition for a Rockies team who has not had a winning season since 2010, and who seems perpetually confused. A former shortstop turned outfielder whose big first half led to an All Star appearance last year (before a second half slump), Desmond was highly qualified for any number of rolls with a major league club. His .285/.335/.446 with 22 homers and 21 stolen bases would have played at any number of positions. Alas, first base was not really one of them.

Still, that didn’t deter the Rockies, who signed him to a five year contract worth $70 million and gave up their first round pick for the right to do so. It was, by a wide margin, the most baffling move of the offseason and a sign that the Rockies may be the last remaining organization who doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing.

While they wait for Desmond to come back, Colorado has Mark Reynolds, Gerardo Parra, and Carlos Gonzalez to plug in as needed. That is, unless they want to go out and get another “first baseman,” like Angel Pagan, Coco Crisp, or Doug Fister.