The Washington Nationals and shortstop Ian Desmond appear to be at a standstill in regards to contract extension talks, adding fuel to speculation that Desmond could be traded before Opening Day.
According to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, "as of the end of last week’s Winter Meetings, his father’s agent and the Nationals had made no progress toward an extension. In fact, recently they haven’t talked much at all. Desmond’s contract expires after 2015, so if the two sides can’t agree on a long-term extension – and they’ve tried before, most notably prior to last season — the Nationals may find it in their best interest to trade the 29-year-old."
Desmond isn't surprised nor angry that his name is popping up in trade rumors at this juncture.
“Look, this isn’t my first day on the job. I understand what’s going on,” Desmond said. “I wouldn’t respect Mike (Rizzo) the way I do, like I said, if he just sat on his hands and did nothing. That’s not how this organization got here, and it’s not how it’s going to continue to move forward. Hopefully I’m a part of it, but if not, I’m still going to be rooting for them.”
Desmond turned down a seven-year, $107 million extension last offseason and wouldn't say one way or the other as to whether he'd be willing to negotiate a deal in-season if he remains with the team.
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