Could Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond be used as trade bait to lure right-handed pitchers Zack Greinke or Matt Garza to Washington? Despite the trade rumors, Desmond has made it known that he wants to stay with the Nats, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson.

“I guess it’s good that other teams are interested in me, but I hope the Nationals keep me,” Desmond said. “I have been with them my whole career. I hope they like me enough to not trade me. But as long as I have a jersey, I’ll be OK. I really don’t care who I play for. I would love to stay with the Nationals, though.”

The Nats are looking for a starting pitcher and they have been rumored to going after Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays and Greinke from the Kansas City Royals. Should they land one of the pitchers, it’s likely that Desmond and/or starter Jordan Zimmermann would be apart of the trade.