After already adding Scott Podsednik earlier this offseason, the Kansas City Royals have added another relatively low-priced veteran to the outfield mix. Rick Ankiel, the pitcher-turned-power-hitter from the St. Louis Cardinals' system, has reportedly agreed to terms with the Royals. Yahoo! Sports is reporting he signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million with a second-year mutual option that could be worth $6 million to Ankiel. Ankiel finished second in Rookie of the Year voting back in 2000 as a pitcher for the Cardinals when he went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 194 strikeouts. During the postseason and the ensuing regular season, however, Ankiel could not shake control problems and was forced back the minors. A few years later, he fully converted to an outfielder and made it all the way back to the bigs in 2007. In 2008, Ankiel hit 25 home runs and drove home 71 in 120 games. He also has repeatedly displayed a cannon from center field.
After already inking one light-hitting veteran during this offseason, it appears the 
INDIANAPOLIS -- Not sure if you heard, but there was a trade involving an AL Central team at the annual Winter Meetings. The 
INDIANAPOLIS -- Wednesday afternoon at the annual Winter Meetings, the eight managers who had not yet given an interview session took the podium to field questions for a half-hour from in-house media. Eighteen others had already been there on the previous two days -- we posted about these sessions for both Monday and Tuesday -- and Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Ron Gardenhire and Charlie Manuel were not present.
If you like trades, pay attention. 
It's a 
With his American League-best 2.16 ERA, Royals right-hander 
The rumors started early on Thursday morning that the 
After one pretty lackluster season in Kansas City, it's likely 
