Detroit Jock City
Fansided

MLB All-Star Game: Picking the American League Starters

By Matt Snyder

Apr 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski (16) in the field during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Travis Jankowski (16) in the field during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next
MLB All-Star Game
May 31, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Ian Desmond (20) runs out his two-RBI double in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Left Field: Ian Desmond, Texas Rangers

No one wanted Ian Desmond in the offseason. The one-time All-Star was forced to accept a one-year, $8 million “show me” contract to play left field for the Texas Rangers after a market for his long-term services at shortstop failed to materialize.

It looked as if Desmond, who had a rejected a seven year, $107 million contract offer in 2014 would never cash in with a massive contract. And while that extension offer rejection will probably always look like a mistake, Desmond is rejuvenating his career in Texas with a career best .885 OPS.

That OPS ranks sixth among qualified AL outfielders but he’s also graded out well defensively in his transition to the outfield with a +7.0 UZR in left field.

Next: Center Field

Home/Detroit Tigers