On paper the Kansas City Royals could have one of the better looking outfields in the American League. Rick Ankiel, who just signed on for one year with the Royals will cover center field with recently acquired Scott Podsednik will handle left field and David DeJesus will play right field. Ankiel hit just .231 with 11 homers last year, but he took that nasty spill into the outfield wall and suffered shoulder and neck soreness. In 2008, Ankiel hit Ankiel hit .264 with 25 homers.
On Monday, Royals’ GM Dayton Moore announced Ankiel to the media. Ankiel weighed out his option and decided on Kansas City based on the fact that he could play center field and he thinks the organization is up and coming and has heard good things about the Royals’ organization.
Ankiel said he felt he had a lot of offers, but in the end it really came down to Kansas City, Florida, Washington, and the Yankees and he just felt best that coming to the Royals was the best move for him.
Listen to Royals’ GM Dayton Moore and Rick Ankiel.