Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel signed a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Royals Thursday night with a mutual option for a second year. A look at Ankiel's numbers from last season reveal that this signing, especially with the option for a second year is ... risky? Questionable? Stupid? All of the above?
Rick Ankiel Signs One-Year Deal With Royals, Confuses K.C. Fans
When we were originally talking about this, I liked Ankiel as an alternative to [Scott Podsednik]: he potentially has a different game and might have a bounceback in him. A part of me still feels that way. From the early responses, here and elsewhere, I can see that many of you are willing to dream a little with Ankiel, and I do understand that.
Still, man, this is kinda a weird one. I don’t mind the 2010 part of this contract, but the 2011 option just stands out as unnecessary. And by that I mean dumb. There is a not insignificant chance that Ankiel is close to done as a player andin that case the Royals are going to be on the hook for 2011 as well. These are not minor details here. Not when it’s January 20th and I’m not sure who we’re bidding against.
Of course, the bounceback season is possible, although Ankiel only had one full season as a productive offensive player before a steep dropoff in production and health last year. If he can somehow replicate numbers similar to what he produced in ‘08 (.337 OBP, .843 OPS, 25 HRs), $3.25 million could be a steal for Kansas City. Also: His mustache growing capability has unlimited upside. And you simply can’t put a price on that kind of facial growth.
Bonus: Because everyone likes moving pictures, Ankiel’s incredible catch from last season, which the humble YouTube servant who uploaded this called the “Cardinals player of the year”:
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