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OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — All-Star free agent outfielder Ian Desmond and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $70 million, five-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not been announced.
A versatile 31-year-old, Desmond hit .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs this year in his lone season with Texas, earning his first All-Star trip since 2012. He played shortstop from 2011-15, then was shifted to the outfield by the Rangers. Colorado may move him to first base.
Desmond gets $8 million next year, $22 million in 2018, $15 million in each of the following two seasons and $8 million in 2021. Colorado has a $15 million option for 2022 with a $2 million buyout.
He gets a $1 million assignment bonus if traded, and if dealt he then would have a full no-trade provision that would allow him to block subsequent trades.
Desmond was a free agent last offseason and agreed to an $8 million, one-year deal with the Rangers in late February after turning down Washington's $15.8 million qualifying offer.
The Washington Post reported in November 2014 he turned down a $107 million, seven-year offer from the Nationals before spring training that year. Desmond agreed to a $17.5 million, two-year contract with Washington, then became a free agent.
With the new deal, he will wind up earning $95.5 million over those seven years.
Because Desmond turned down the Rangers' $17.2 million qualifying offer last month, Texas receives an extra selection after the first round of June's amateur draft. The Rockies lose their top draft pick, the 11th selection overall.
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