Report: Padres have expressed interest in Ian Desmond

The San Diego Padres cleared some room on their payroll Friday by shipping closer Craig Kimbrel to Boston, and general manager A.J. Preller may use that extra financial flexibility to pursue a long-term solution as shortstop.

The Padres have reportedly expressed interest in Ian Desmond, the 30-year-old free agent who rejected a qualifying offer from the Washington Nationals on Friday, reports Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. If the Padres manage to sign Desmond, the club would forfeit its top unprotected pick in the 2016 draft.

Though Preller said Carlos Asuaje, one of four prospects he landed in exchange for Kimbrel, has a chance to win the Padres' starting shortstop job in spring training, Desmond was considered one of the top players at his position as recently as one year ago.

No shortstop, after all, compiled more wins above replacement from 2012 to 2014 than Desmond, who posted a .788 OPS (114 OPS+) while averaging 23 homers and 22 stolen bases per season over that span. This season, however, Desmond hit just .233/.290/.384 with a career-worst 29.2 percent strikeout in 154 games, finishing 14th among shortstops with 1.7 WAR.

Still, even with his diminished production, Desmond was still considerably better than San Diego's shortstop tandem, comprised of Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes, which managed -0.8 WAR while hitting .215/.266/.313.