Would Reds be up for this Ex Cardinal?
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Would Reds be up for this Ex Cardinal?
I'd be okay with Ankiel for the pro-rated league minimum. He's left handed and would provide a little power off the bench. I'd prefer him to Xavier Paul.
He's an major upgrade to Xavier Paul defensively and fits well as a LH bat on the bench. I think it's a strong possibility they go get Ankiel, keep the Heisey -Ludwick platoon going, drop Paul, and deal for leadoff hitter for LF/CF.
No thanks but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if we made a run at him.
Source: Washington PostQuote:
The Nationals designated Rick Ankiel for assignment today with the full expectation he will be claimed by another team, which robbed them of a solid, late-inning defensive replacement and provided another sign of their improvement as an organization. When the Nationals have to make room for a player returning from injury – reliever Drew Storen, in this case – they may have to cut ties with a legitimate major leaguer. That’s new....
Without Ankiel, the Nationals have no left-handed hitters available off their bench today, unless you count switch-hitting backup catcher Sandy Leon, who just arrived to replace Jhonatan Solano. With Ian Desmond nursing an oblique injury, Mark DeRosa and Tyler Moore are the Nationals’ only two available pinch-hitters.
Ankiel had been serving frequently as a late-game replacement in center field, a perfect fit for the Nationals. They are playing inexperienced outfielders in all three spots in many games with Bryce Harper in center and Moore and Michael Morse on the corners. In October, Ankiel could change a rally with the threat of his bazooka left arm alone...
But Ankiel has been dreadful offensively. Not helped by infrequent playing time, Ankiel has gone 14 for his last 78 with 36 strikeouts.
NO!
He's not very productive....but I admire the heck out of what he did. Age 19 pitching in the majors then at 20 had a mental breakdown pitching in the playoffs. 12 years later he's had a decent career and one of THE very elite non-pitching arms in MLB history. Throwing the ball from the CF warning track to 3rd in the air, on a line is just the best to watch.
There are already enough guys on this team hitting below .240 - no thanks.