Ian Desmond

The Washington Nationals checked off all of their boxes this offseason—fortifying the infield and amplifying the rotation—and now, with spring training upon us, we get our first look at the double take-inducing product the Nats will send out this summer.

Slowly but surely, MLB's hot stove is starting to cool down.

The New York Mets have reportedly already passed on acquiring Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond once, but that doesn't mean that they are out of the running.

According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Mets still have interest in the 29-year-old All-Star; however, no resolution is imminent on that front.

The Washington Nationals are almost three months into the offseason and general manager Mike Rizzo's finger is still resting on the trigger of nearly all of the team's biggest potential maneuvers. 

The Washington Nationals are taking a noticeably patient approach this offseason, but last week the team put a clock on it with the announcement of spring training dates. 

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Viera, Florida, Feb. 19 with position players arriving five days later on Feb. 24. To put it in more dramatic terms, the preseason is less than two months away.

Meet Ian Desmond, the best shortstop in baseball who doesn't need a disclaimer in front of his name.

Unlike Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, who we must preface anything we say or write about with "When he's healthy," Desmond needs no such introduction, having played in at least 150 games in all but one of his five full major league seasons.

With so many of the league's top free agents signed to big contracts, MLB teams still looking to make an offseason splash will likely have to do so via trade.

The Washington Nationals have been decidedly quiet so far this offseason. But with more than two months down and just one trade in the books, it feels like the dominoes are about to begin tumbling down in D.C.

Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond exited Tuesday night's 6-4 win over the Atlanta Braves after the fifth inning with what's currently being described as back tightness.

Chelsey Desmond dove to the right, stabbed at a lazily hit ball and came up with the web gem of the week.