The Royals have signed 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder Rick Ankiel to a 1-year, $3.25 million dollar deal with a mutual option worth $6 million bucks for the 2011 season. Ankiel played in 122 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 86 for 372 (.231 avg, .672 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 11 homers, 38 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 342 games in his major league career and he is 262 for 1,044 (.251 avg, .763 OPS) with 155 runs scored, 49 homers, 157 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Signing Ankiel will have a domino effect on the team as Jose Guillen will now serve as the DH with Billy Butler now starting at 1B. Having Ankiel, DeJesus and Podsednik in the outfield should really improve the defense there as all three of them have been starting center fielders in the major leagues.