The Tampa Bay Rays and Ian Desmond may look like a good match, but a few hurdles have stood in the way.

Desmond was expecting to land a huge contract when he rejected the one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer from the Washington Nationals.

The infielder has said he'd like to play for the Rays -- he's from Sarasota, Florida -- but another issue is that Washington would have to forfeit a draft pick in order to sign him.

However, the longer he remains on the market the more likely it becomes that the Rays can afford him.