The Washington Nationals signed OF Rick Ankiel to a minor-league contract on Monday, and he will likely make the team either as a fourth outfielder or as part of a platoon in center field. The ultimate decision for Ankiel's role may tell us exactly what the Nats expect from Bryce Harper.
The Nats have signed a bevy of veteran utility type players this offseason, including Ankiel, Mike Cameron, Mark DeRosa, and most recently, Mark Teahen. GM Mike Rizzo has truly taken to the idea that you can't have too much depth in spring training. The Nationals couldn't have had this problem in even the recent past. The franchise wasn't interested in depth, they were worried about putting any competent product on the field. Now, they know who they want the on-field talent to be, but in Harper's case, it may not happen on April 5th.
Until then, players like Rick Ankiel, who will make $1.25 million in 2012 if he's added to the 40-man roster during or after Spring Train...
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