The Nationals have signed Rick Ankiel to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, tweets Amanda Comak of the Washington Times.
The 32-year-old Scot Boras client played in 122 games for the Nats last season, but struggled at the plate, posting just a .239/.296/.363 triple slash line. Ankiel appeared at all three outfield spots, but played primarily center field. UZR suggests that for the past three seasons Ankiel has been at least average defensively, and that last year was his best ever with the leather, posting a UZR/150 of 8.5.
Ankiel will be in the mix to play center field along with Roger Bernadina and fellow veteran Mike Cameron, who also inked a minor league deal with Washington this offseason.
Good move for the Nats, even better move for the Angels. Hope this all but kills anymore rumors of a Bourjous-Lannan trade.
Was that a rumor?
A fake one, maybe.
Well ever since the Nats beat Lannan in arbitration, there’s been rumblings about a trade between the Angels and Nats. It was even reported on this site. Probably has no substance, but still, this should officially kill it (hopefully).
Huge blow to the Mets. He could of done so much for that franchise…
sarcasm?
No, he was perfect for them. They need someone (among many other things) that can field, hit and pitch (preferably all simultaneously)…
Yes sarcasm.
He helped us take home the pennant in 2000, and I am forever grateful.
“Wild pitch! Wild pitch! Wild pitch!” – Joe Buck and Tim McCarver were so offended by us.
Didn’t get a long enough look at him last year? Even the Royals couldn’t use him 2 years ago.
Will no doubt serve as a much needed late inning defensive replacement for Morse.
I see him making it to the club out of spring training. Right now our CF is weakest spot defensively and offensively. Having signed Rick does not help long-term but he is a decent bench/platoon player for now.
As long as he doesnt pitch he should be a nice little piece for the Nats this year
Great sign, nice on a minor league deal.
I dont think people realize how good the Nats are gonna be, last year we were 80 – 81 without Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson, Adam Laroche, a half a season from Ryan Zimmerman, and a bad first season from Jayson Werth plus no Bryce Harper.
I’m not a Nats fan, but I am STOKED to see em this year. It has nothing to do with they’re team, I’m just so excited to see such a solid, young, core of players on a balanced team. They’re like a team I would build in MLB the Show.
no trust me we understand, we feel the same way in Arizona! Good Luck Nats!
Minor league? Ugh. Where were the Braves in this one?? Are we so locked in money wise we can’t even afford a minor league offer?
I hear Julio Lugo is still available if they are interested in veteran retreads…
Seriously.. it’s just a retread signing and a minor league deal.. he may not even be on the team out of ST.
Jack Wilson > Julio Lugo
The only reason I’m say this is because Rick Ankiel still plays some awesome defense, and he’s pretty good with a bat too. He can bunt, get some hits, and has good, a little above average speed. An Ankiel, Hinske, Diaz, Wilson, and Ross bench would have been well above solid.
“nationals, signed, boras, client”
never seen those words in the same sentence before
Love having Rick’s arm in CF. Glad to see him back. If he can manage to hit the ball, even better.
100% overrated.
Exactly, and when we went on a winning streak our manager quit, than Davey was getting used to this team and we played great right before the end of the season.
Manny Ramirez 😉
It would probably make Lugo’s day to replace anyone on a MLB roster right now.
Glad you got the point of the post btw.