Desmond deal sparks Blackmon trade rumors

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Rockies’ reported signing of Ian Desmond — the Rangers’ center fielder last season — raised a question: What are the Rockies planning to do with their center fielder, Charlie Blackmon?

Desmond, who agreed to a reported five-year, $70 million contract, is said to be switching to first base with the Rockies, but he represented the Rangers in last year’s All-Star Game in center field, and he was an All-Star shortstop in 2012 during his seven seasons with the Nationals (2009-15). Desmond has been streaky throughout his career, but his .743 career OPS is solid for the positions he played.

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But those numbers are not what’s typically expected from a first baseman, so it stands to reason that the Rockies would want to move Desmond to center. And with Blackmon coming off his best season, hitting .324 with a .381 on-base percentage and career-bests in home runs (29) and RBIs (82), teams have been approaching the Rockies.

“My feelings haven’t changed about Charlie Blackmon one bit,” said Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich, who answered a question about Blackmon on Wednesday but did not address Desmond, whose signing is pending a physical. “He’s a very popular player for good reason. There have been questions about him. There have been increased questions about him since the rumors came out this afternoon.

“It’s no surprise because of the type of player and person that he is. Certainly, we have not had any intention of trading this player for all those good reasons. As I’ve said before, we’re just going to keep …

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