VIERA, Fla. — Ian Desmond lugged a blue bag over his shoulder as he walked into the clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium on Monday morning. He dropped the bag off in front of his locker and started walking counterclockwise around the room. Hugs for old teammates. Handshakes and introductions for new ones. Everyone got a hello.
Desmond is the longest-tenured player in the Washington Nationals organization, the only holdover from their days as the Montreal Expos. But as he begins spring training, there is a very real possibility that this year could be his last with the team. The 29-year-old shortstop is entering the final year of his contract and will likely garner a deal in excess of $100 million this winter.
How is Desmond dealing with that situation? Simple: He’s just not thinking about it.
“I’m going to enjoy this ride,” Desmond said. “And you know what? If it’s my last year here, it’s my last year here. But I’m going to enjoy every single day. I’ve got a lot of friends and family in this organization. I’m going to make sure I don’t slight them in any way by throwing in any other distractions. I owe it to everybody here to give my 100 percent concentration, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Desmond is one of several marquee players facing free agency at the end of the upcoming season, including starters Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister and center fielder Denard Span. Because some players prefer not to negotiate during the season, spring training is often a time when deals are discussed.
Zimmermann, for example, said he would not field any contract offers from the team when the season starts. Desmond, however, said he is open to negotiations at any point. After all, it is his agent who will handle that process, not Desmond himself.
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Over the weekend, general manager Mike Rizzo declined to comment on any negotiations that may or may not have taken place this offseason. He added that he has no concern about whether players with expiring contracts will let their situation affect their performance.
“None whatsoever,” Rizzo said. “These guys are professional players. They’re all-star caliber players. They’re professionals. And they’re going to attack their jobs like they always do.”
Desmond was the subject of frequent trade rumors this winter. One anonymously sourced report said he could be headed to Seattle. Another had him involved in a three-team deal with the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays, sending him to a division rival. The Nationals have made it clear they will listen to offers for Desmond, or any player, if the return is right.
Standing in front of his locker Monday, Desmond said he doesn’t mind the rumors, nor focus on them. At one point this offseason, as speculation continued to swirl, he got a call from manager Matt Williams.
“You’re not getting traded,” Williams said, according to Desmond.
“All right,” Desmond thought. “I’m not getting traded.”
That was enough for him.
“This is a business, and you’ve got to test that market,” Desmond said. “I don’t blame them for doing that, and I’m not going to hold anything against them. This is a really good baseball team, and I’m glad to be here.”
Williams said he made that call to give Desmond “the real story.” Amid the rumors, he wanted to reassure his starting shortstop that he was not currently in any trade discussions, while adding that things could change — “especially with people blowing up Mike’s phone.”
It was also part of Williams’ overall goal with Desmond this season.
“I want to free his mind,” Williams said. “I don’t want him to worry going into the season because he’ll not be as productive as he wants to be, nor as we want him to be. But he’s not worried about it at this point. He’s here to play and he’s here to get ready to be a part of our team this year, a vital part of our team.”
Desmond said was disappointed in his inconsistency last year and spent the offseason rediscovering his natural swing. He didn’t think about mechanics or watch film. He just hit. He also took some time to just be a dad. Desmond’s wife, Chelsey, gave birth to their third son, Ashton, in October.
“I’m in a very good place mentally,” Desmond said.
As he walked around the clubhouse Monday, that much was evident. He was all smiles, all morning. Though his future with the Nationals is uncertain, Desmond is determined to enjoy the ride.
“You’ve got to look at it from the other aspect,” Desmond said. “We got to this position because the organization and us did a great job of developing. We’ve become good players and they’ve done a good job kind of grooming us. We’ve put them in a position where they’ve got some tough choices to make. That’s a good place to be.”
• Tom Schad can be reached at tschad@washingtontimes.com.
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