Looking for a landing spot for Ian Desmond

As spring training nears and big-name free agents such as Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes look for contracts, free agent shortstop Ian Desmond is lost in the shuffle.

Desmond, 30, who was the last link to the Nationals' history in Montreal, is facing a looking for a tight for shortstops. Desmond turned down a long-term contract worth at least $100 million from the Nationals. Then, he turned down their qualifying offer, meaning that the team that signs him has to give up a draft pick to the Nationals.

The Nationals have moved on, but it hasn't been easy for Desmond to do the same.

The Nationals are ready for Danny Espinosa to play shortstop while prospect Trea Turner puts the finishing touches on his talent in the minors. And the Nationals gave away Desmond's uniform No. 20 - the number he wore in honor of former Nationals manager Frank Robinson - to their new second baseman, Daniel Murphy.

Last season, the Yankees seemed to be a landing spot for Desmond, especially after Didi Gregorius got off to a tough start in replacing Derek Jeter. But Gregorius shaped up during the second half, eliminating Desmond's chances of going to New York.

Desmond's uncertain future seemed to weigh on him last season, especially at the start. He made 20 errors in the first half and hit .211 with an on-base percentage of .255.

The shortstop market is slow. The Padres were interested in Desmond, but it didn't make sense to give a 30-year-old shortstop a three-year contract to play for a rebuilding team. They signed former White Sox shortstop Alexi Ramirez.

The Mets could have used Desmond's bat, but they decided on Asdrubal Cabrera. The Twins could use Desmond's bat, too, but they'll stick with Eduardo Escobar and keep their money and their draft pick. Seattle is set on developing 22-year-old Ketel Marte.

Tampa Bay has a new shortstop, Brad Miller, an acquisition from Seattle. The Angels traded shortstop Erick Aybar to the Braves for Andrelton Simmons, the best defensive shortstop in the National League.

And if Turner becomes Washington's full-time shortstop, he'll join a list of young shortstops that have come into the game, including Houston's Carlos Correa, Cleveland's Francisco Lindor, the Dodgers' Corey Seager and the Cubs' Addison Russell.

So who are the teams that would likely pick up Desmond? That's difficult to say, and Desmond's agent, Doug Rogalski, doesn't return phone calls to offer guidance.

The White Sox said at the Winter Meetings they were looking for a shortstop, so Desmond could join former National Adam LaRoche in Chicago. The White Sox have Tyler Saladino, 26, as their shortstop. He played mostly third base as a rookie last season.

Desmond could join former Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann in Detroit if the Tigers don't think Jose Iglesias will stay healthy. But the Tigers also just agreed with outfielder Justin Upton on a six-year deal worth $132.75.

In Oakland, Desmond might be an upgrade Marcus Semien, but the Athletics like Semien.

After adding Shelby Miller and Zack Greinke to its rotation, Arizona lists light-hitting Nick Ahmed, 25, as their shortstop. Still, would the Diamondbacks add Desmond to a lineup that finished second in the National League in runs scored last year?

That could happen.

Desmond is a team leader. He defense is usually slow at the beginning of the year, but it gets better as the weather warms. He can hit .270 with 20 home runs. He has hit at least 20 home runs in four of his last five seasons. Last year, he hit 19 home runs despite a lousy first half.

Could he play another position? Consider that Desmond has played five games at second base, four in the outfield, and has never played third base.

That resume is not likely to earn a big contract.

Desmond's best option might be to sign a one-year deal, re-establish himself as a power-hitting shortstop and try the market again next year.