Ian Desmond
LF FA
Sat 4/16/22 2:11 PM

Desmond has announced his retirement from baseball, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond opted out of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to COVID-19 concerns, and he'll elect to hang up his cleats after his $15 million team option for 2022 was declined by the Rockies in November. The 36-year-old spent the first seven years of his career in Washington before joining the Rangers in 2016 and ultimately concluding his career with three seasons in Colorado. In his 11 professional seasons, Desmond slashed .263/.315/.427 with 181 homers, 724 runs, 711 RBI and 181 stolen bases.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Thu 11/4/21 10:05 AM

The Rockies informed Desmond on Thursday that his $15 million team option for 2022 will be declined, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond will still pocket $2 million as part of a buyout, after not earning a salary in 2020 and 2021 upon opting out of both seasons due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and a desire to spend time with his family. In his opt-out announcement ahead of the most recent season, Desmond left the door open to resume his career at some point, though that doesn't appear especially likely now that he's 36 years old and two years removed from playing. In his last active season in 2019, Desmond submitted a rather underwhelming .255/.310/.479 slash line (88 wRC+) and was a liability on defense, so he would likely have to settle for a minor-league deal if he desires to keep his career going in 2022.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Sun 2/21/21 10:50 AM

Desmond announced Sunday that he intends to opt out of the upcoming season "for now," Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The "for now" seemingly implies that Desmond could reconsider later in the season, perhaps depending on how the COVID-19 pandemic develops. He may have found himself as a reserve outfielder had he chosen to play. Desmond also opted out last year and will be 36 years old next season. At that point, he'll have been out of the league for two full years (assuming he doesn't opt back in) and will be six years removed from his most recent above-average batting line, so it can't be ruled out that he's already had his last big-league at-bat.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Mon 6/29/20 10:35 PM

Desmond announced Monday via his personal Instagram account that he won't play in 2020 for personal reasons.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond will opt to sit out the 2020 season once play resumes to focus on civil rights issues and out of concerns about playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the fourth known player to do so. The 34-year-old has an expectant wife and four young children, and he outlined his concerns of playing during the pandemic. In his absence, Raimel Tapia could serve as the primary platoon with Sam Hilliard seeing some extra playing time in left field.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Mon 3/23/20 12:24 PM

Desmond figures to get most of his starts in left field against left-handed pitchers when the season gets underway, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
He hit .297/.350/.626 against lefties last year while hitting .226/.282/.375 against righties. Desmond has been worth negative fWAR in all three seasons he has played for the Rockies, but with him guaranteed $25 million over the next few seasons, he will figure into things in some way. It sounds like Raimel Tapia, who had a good spring, could start against right-handed pitchers, with Sam Hilliard serving as a wild card on the outfield depth chart.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Sun 9/29/19 1:02 PM

Desmond is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond will be given a breather in the season finale after he played the hero in Colorado's 3-2 win Saturday. The veteran notched his fourth triple and reached 20 home runs for the third time in four seasons in the victory, but his .255/.310/.479 slash line is still fairly underwhelming for a player making $15 million. Desmond still has one year remaining on his contract beyond this season along with a $15 million club option ($2 million buyout) for 2022.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Sat 9/28/19 11:32 PM

Desmond went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a triple in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Brewers.
EDGE Analysis
After riding pine for three straight games, Desmond provided a multi-hit effort. He wasn't able to score after a leadoff triple in the sixth inning, but he made sure to get the Rockies on the board with the solo shot off Brewers reliever Drew Pomeranz in the eighth. Desmond secured his sixth 20-homer campaign in 11 seasons with the blast. The 34-year-old has added 65 RBI, 64 runs scored and four triples in 139 games this year.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Fri 9/27/19 4:17 PM

Desmond is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond will remain on the bench for the third straight contest, and he has just a .670 OPS this month. Sam Hilliard will start in left field Friday.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Thu 9/26/19 1:31 PM

Desmond is not in the lineup Thursday against the Giants.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond is slashing .212/.241/.442 with four home runs and six RBI through 17 games this month. He'll sit for a second straight game as Raimel Tapia picks up another start in left field in his place.

Ian Desmond
LF FA
Wed 9/25/19 6:37 PM

Desmond is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants.
EDGE Analysis
Desmond will head to the bench after going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's extra-innings win over the Giants. Raimel Tapia is starting in left field and hitting second in this one.