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News
 Ian Desmond: The 2010 Nationals Shortstop?
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (December 2, 2009) -- It appears that Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggelman will get his wish -- rookie Ian Desmond (pictured) looks like the favorite to start the 2010 season as the Nats' shortstop.

Shortly after he was hired as the team's permanent skipper in early November, Riggleman told reporters that he wouldn't mind having Desmond at shortstop.
 

"I don't know if Desmond will be the shortstop, but as I stand here right now, I would be happy with it, because I know what kind of effort I'm going to get," Riggleman said, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. "I know the energy that he brings to the team. I know how athletic he is. I'm excited about Desmond's future. He has a future somewhere. It might be this year."

At the time, Riggleman didn't seem to be on the same page as General Manager Mike Rizzo who noted that Desmond has struggled to make the routine play in the minors. With incumbent shortstop Cristian Guzman headed to second base, Rizzo emphasized that a strong defensive shortstop was a top priority for 2010.
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However, in the last few weeks, possible SS free agent targets Alex Gonzalez and Omar Vizquel have signed with the Blue Jays and White Sox respectively. And the Nats have signaled they are not interested in other SS free agents, Adam Everett or Orlando Cabrera; the former is a weak hitter; the latter will want too much money.

So, as the Nats prepare for next week's Winter Meetings, the team seems content to give Desmond every opportunity to make the 2010 team as the starting shortstop. The rookie certainly has demonstrated his offensive skills, hitting .280 with four HRs in 82 ABs after being called up from Triple AAA Syracuse late in the 2009 season. He also exhibited occasional flashes of brilliance at short.

However, Desmond will need to show consistency in the field in spring training or the Nats may be forced to move Guzman back to short, something the team is reluctant to do considering Guzman's off-season shoulder surgery and declining defensive skills.

But if Rizzo can forgo signing a free agent SS -- or trading for one -- it could free up some money for other acquisitions. And that's gotta be paramount on Rizzo's mind now with the team in the middle of its 2010 season ticket renewal campaign.

With many fans likely questioning the wisdom of renewing in a bad economy, the team's purse strings may have gotten a bit tighter since early November when Rizzo said a strong defensive shortstop was a top priority.

 Come back to 'Nuts for Nats' for more stories on Washington baseball.

Swanni is a Washington-area journalist and long-time observer of Washington baseball.
You can contact Swanni at swann@tvpredictions.com

 

 
   

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