The Nationals are “actively shopping” shortstop Ian Desmond and the Red Sox
are a potential suitor, tweeted Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. The Giants are
also rumored to be interested, and Passan called Tampa Bay a “good fit.”
In another tweet, Passan explained that the Nationals have told other MLB
teams that the 25-year-old prospect is available. He added that this likely
means the organization is leaning towards Stephen Lombardozzi as their middle
infielder of the future.
Lombardozzi is hitting .322 this season with a .372 on-base percentage and 21
stolen bases, splitting time between AA-Harrisburg (65) and AAA-Syracuse
(31). Passan said that general manager Anthony Rizzo “loves” Lombardozzi.
Desmond has struggled at the Major League level in 2011. After a solid 2010
campaign in which he hit .269 with 27 doubles in 154 games, he has hit at a
measly .228 pace this time around. He also has a .276 on-base percentage, but
with Jed Lowrie on the shelf (right shoulder injury), Desmond could be a
useful addition. Boston has Marco Scutaro starting at shortstop, but
23-year-old Yamaico Navarro is hardly a capable backup. Navarro is hitting
.174 average in 23 at-bats.
Boston does have Jose Iglesias waiting in AAA-Pawtucket, but based on his
offensive production this season — or lack thereof — he may still be a year
or two away from the majors.
http://0rz.tw/NuPNp
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