New York Yankees Editorial: Should Ian Desmond Be An Offseason Target??

Entering the season, shortstop looked to be one of many question marks for the New York Yankees.  Many wondered if Didi Gregorius could produce at all with the bat replacing Derek Jeter.  In April, Gregorius struggled at the plate, hitting .206 with an OPS of .499, but also on the bases, and even in the field, which was the reason the Yankees acquired him.

Many fans felt that Gregorius was the wrong long-term option, and some even suggested the Yankees should demote him, move Stephen Drew to shortstop, and let Rob Refsnyder take over at second base.  If the season was only one month, it is very likely the Yankees would pursue Ian Desmond to play shortstop.

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Desmond, an All-Star in 2012, has struggled in 2015, despite hitting 17 home runs, as his slash-line is a lowly .234/.285/.393.  Gregorius has managed to improve tremendously since April, and his slash-line is .272/.321/.372.  While his power output doesn’t reach Desmond’s level, Gregorius is a better defender and his OPS of .693 is higher than Desmond’s, who has an OPS of .678.  Overall, Gregorius has been nearly twice as valuable as Desmond, producing a WAR of 2.7 compared to Desmond’s WAR of 1.4.

While Gregorius, 25, will be entering his first year of arbitration following the season, Desmond, who turns 30 in September, will be looking for what could be his last big contract, and should have suitors, as the Diamondbacks, Mets, Padres, and Twins are also rumored to be interested.

Unless Desmond is willing to move to second base, and the Yankees are willing to push Drew and Refsnyder aside for someone who has made two errors in just five games and 39 2/3 innings at second base, the chance of the two sides coming to terms seems slim-to-none.  Second base may be an offseason priority for the Yankees, but, unlike last season, shortstop will not be, and pursuing Desmond doesn’t seem like an option.

What do you think Yankees fans?  Should the organization pursue Ian Desmond to play shortstop or second base?  Let us know in the comments below.

Next: New York Yankees Editorial: What Do The Yanks Need For A Playoff Run?

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