Ian

Desmond

Heyman writes that Desmond is “quietly calling it a career” after opting out of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to concerns over COVID-19. The Rockies declined his $15 million option last November and he apparently will be stepping away from the game altogether. The 36-year-old was an elite fantasy contributor last decade and wraps up an 11-year career, which included stints with the Nationals, Rangers and Rockies, with a .263/.315/.427 triple-slash line with 181 homers and 181 stolen bases across 5.944 plate appearances (1,478 games) since 2011.

Desmond will receive a $2 million buyout. He has opted out of the last two seasons and just turned 36 years old in September, so this could potentially be the end of the road on his playing career. The former two-time All-Star posted a combined .252/.313/.429 slash line across his three seasons (2017-2019) with Colorado.

Desmond writes that “my desire to be with my family is greater than my desire to go back and play baseball under these circumstances.” He adds that he will “continue to train and watch how things unfold,” so it sounds like he is leaving the door open to opting back in at some point. The 35-year-old also said that he’s “let my teammates know, as well as the coaching staff and front office.” Desmond, of course, opted out of the 2020 season, as well. This is the final year of his five-year, $70 million contract, so if he doesn’t opt back in Desmond’s time with the Rockies is likely over.

Desmond was one of the first players to opt out from playing in the truncated season from the COVID-19 pandemic. The outfielder will battle for a starting spot in the outfield in 2021, and has a good chance of doing so considering his $8 million salary in 2021.

He is the fourth player to opt out, joining Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross of the Nationals and Mike Leake of the Diamondbacks. Desmond cited both the COVID-19 pandemic and racial issues inside and outside of baseball among his reasons for sitting this year. His wife is pregnant with the couple’s fifth child. From a fantasy perspective, the absence of Desmond in Colorado could mean a better shot at an everyday role for sleeper Sam Hilliard. Garrett Hampson and Ryan McMahon also stand to benefit to some degree.

Desmond is now up to two home runs for the spring. His dinger on Thursday came off Drew Anderson with two outs in the first inning. Last season, the veteran outfielder hit .255/.310/.479 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 140 games. He has whacked at least 20 home runs in six of his last eight seasons. There’s a little low-grade late fantasy appeal, here, but it comes with a capped upside.

Desmond blasted a solo shot -- his first long ball of the spring -- off Angels’ pitching prospect Joe Gatto in the sixth inning. The 34-year-old veteran has added some versatility in recent years, but is coming off another lackluster offensive campaign. The Rockies have plenty of talented young prospects in the precipice of the big leagues, so there’s a chance they cut into his playing time this year. It’s difficult to envision a scenario in which Desmond provides more than late-round value as a double-digit homer and stolen base threat this season.

Desmond clubbed a solo homer -- his 20th round-tripper of the season -- off Brewers’ lefty Drew Pomeranz in the eighth inning. The 34-year-old veteran outfielder has reached the 20-homer plateau in six of the last eight seasons dating back to the 2012 campaign. He owns a pedestrian .255/.310/.479 triple-slash line with 64 runs scored, 20 homers, 65 RBI and three stolen bases across 482 plate appearances. At this advanced stage in his career, the steals have completely evaporated, limiting Desmond’s fantasy appeal to deeper mixed leagues.

Desmond scorched a game-tying solo homer -- his 19th big fly of the season -- off Giants’ starter Madison Bumgarner in the fourth inning. The 34-year-old outfielder also singled in the sixth inning before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. He’s hitting .254/.309/.469 with 63 runs scored, 19 homers, 64 RBI and three stolen bases in 476 plate appearances.

Desmond put the Rockies in front for good in the rare low-scoring affair in Coors Field with a mammoth solo shot -- his 17th round-tripper of the season -- to left-center field of Cardinals’ starter Dakota Hudson in the sixth inning. It was his lone hit in four at-bats on the night. The 33-year-old veteran outfielder’s wheels are gone at this point and he simply doesn’t offer a ton of fantasy value at this stage in his career. He’s hitting .257/.315/.472 with 61 runs scored, 17 homers, 61 RBI and three stolen bases in 448 plate appearances.