Free-agent center fielder Ian Desmond rejected a one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers on Monday and instead will seeks a new contract on the open market.
A year ago, Desmond turned down a qualifying offer from the Washington Nationals before settling for a one-year deal with Texas worth $8 million.
The Rangers converted the former shortstop into an outfielder this past season, and he earned his second career All-Star selection. He finished with stats of .285/.335/.446, 22 home runs, 86 RBIs and 21 stolen bases as the Rangers repeated as AL West Division winners.
Texas will receive a compensatory draft pick if Desmond signs elsewhere.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported Desmond's decision.