Texas Rangers sign RFA SS Ian Desmond to a one year contract

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Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports on Sunday reported the news that the Texas Rangers have signed restricted free agent shortstop Ian Desmond, 30, to a one year, $8 million dollar contract. Desmond turned down a one year, $15.8 million dollar qualifying contract to remain with the Washington Nationals at the end of the 2015 Major League Baseball season. The Rangers will have to give up their first round draft choice in the 2016 Major League Baseball season to the Washington Nationals as compensation to receive the services of Desmond who will be playing in the outfield on Opening Day 2016. Desmond will be replacing Josh Hamilton as the Rangers outfielder since Hamilton will not be ready to play baseball for the team at the start of the 2016 baseball season due to an injury to his left knee that will likely keep out of the starting lineup until early May. Desmond was a third round draft choice of the Montreal Expos in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Sarasota High School in Sarasota Florida. Desmond made his debut in the Major Leagues with the Washington Nationals on September 10, 2009. Desmond can become a free agent at the end of the 2016 Major League Baseball season unless the Rangers can reach a contract extension before the start of free agency at the end of the 2016 baseball season. The Rangers enter the 2016 Major League Baseball season as the defending American League Western Division champions.