For Ian Desmond, new challenges aplenty after long wait to sign

Former Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond not only has a new team and a new league, he has a new position.

At 30, Desmond signed for $8 million to play left field for the Texas Rangers. Desmond has played four games in the outfield during his career.

He'll get the advantage of playing 15 home games in Texas during April. Desmond, who hit .233 last season, goes to Boston's Fenway Park to battle the Green Monster the first week in July.

The Rangers' plan was to use Josh Hamilton in left field, but he's out with an injured knee, and so that leaves Texas with an outfield of Desmond, Delino DeShields and Shin-Soo Choo. Elvis Andrus is the Rangers' shortstop and they don't plan on moving him.

Hamilton is 34. Injuries limited him to 50 games last season and 89 the season before that. Hamilton, who hit 43 home runs in 2012, hit .263 and .253 in each of the last two seasons.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels says that Desmond is the left fielder for the season. Hamilton, who had surgery on his left knee and is slowed by inflammation, is expected to be ready in a month.

So what do the Rangers do then? Prince Fielder is the DH, so there's no room at that position for Hamilton. Can Hamilton handle a part-time pinch-hitting role, which would mean he'd play sparingly, especially with American League rules?

What happens if Desmond gets off to a slow start or struggles defensively?

Desmond, who played seven seasons at shortstop for the Nationals, is on a one-year contract and hopes to enter next offseason as a free agent looking for a big-time contract.

But what happens if he doesn't get the at-bats he needs?

Desmond was hurt by baseball's qualifying offer rule that says a team that signs a free agent has to give up a draft pick to complete the deal.

That's true, but that isn't the only reason Desmond had a hard time finding a job. His agent didn't read the market properly.

Desmond turned down a $107 million contract with the Nationals, giving up a chance to continue in a city where he was beloved. His uniform No. 20 was given to the Nationals' new second baseman, Daniel Murphy.

The general consensus was that Desmond would end up with the New York Yankees replacing Derek Jeter. That didn't happen.

But it wasn't like the market was flat for a shortstop who has won Silver Slugger Awards and has an excellent reputation for leadership.

There were enough teams to create a market for a shortstop. The Angels and Braves traded shortstops. Tampa Bay acquired a shortstop, Brad Miller.

The New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox were all looking for shortstops over the winter.

Desmond will get a chance to redeem himself, but it is going to be a long road back to a $100 million contract.