The Nationals and shortstop Ian Desmond agreed to a one-year, $3.8 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, The Washington Times reports. Desmond, who was in his first year of arbitration, is coming off the finest season of his career in which he registered 25 homers and 73 RBI while producing a .292 batting average over 130 games. He also swiped 21 bases, his second straight season with 20-plus steals.