Desmond: Free agency was 'extremely stressful'

Most ballplayers dream of the day they'll become eligible for free agency, a privilege granted to those who manage to accrue six years of service time in the major leagues. This winter, however, Ian Desmond learned that the open market isn't always so kind.

Despite being pegged as the top shortstop available in free agency, the former All-Star remained unemployed when camps opened last month, and was forced to settle for a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers, who intend to use him in left field.

"It was extremely stressful. And it was challenging," Desmond told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal of his free agency. "But that's why we play baseball. That's baseball in a nutshell. That's why I love this game."

Though he led all shortstops in WAR from 2012 through 2014, Desmond didn't have many suitors chasing him this offseason, roughly three years after turning down a seven-year, $107-million extension offer from the Washington Nationals. A rough 2015 campaign, both at the plate and in the field, appeared to scare off some prospective suitors, and the draft-pick compensation attached to him after he rejected the Nationals' qualifying offer further depressed his market (MLBPA executive director Tony Clark expects this system of compensation will be addressed when the league and the players' union sit down to formulate a new collective bargaining agreement).

Still, with a new challenge ahead of him on a team that looks primed to defend their division title this season, Desmond said he doesn't regret how his first trip into free agency went down.

"It all just worked out perfectly," Desmond said. "I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm not second-guessing at all. I wouldn't trade it for anything."