Rick Ankiel Traded To Atlanta Braves

more images

CINCINNATI (GaeaTimes.com)- Outfielder Rick Ankiel is now part of Atlanta Braves. The team in its move to strengthen its outfield and Bullpen area went for a five-player deal on Saturday with the Kansas City Royals. The Atlanta Braves got Rick Ankiel and right-hander Kyle Farnsworth from the Kansas City Royals; it traded three young players outfielder Gregor Blanco, minor league pitcher Tim Collins and Jesse Chavez to the latter. The Kansas City Royals also included cash in the Saturday deal. The deal was confirmed to media sources by one of the top officials of Atlanta Braves.

According to some sports analysts, the Saturday’s five-player trade was carried out in an attempt to thwart the charge that is being carried out by second-place Philadelphia Phillies that has come up with some brilliant play this season and has already cut its seven-game deficit to three-and-half. Rick Ankiel will no doubt add depth to the team’s outfield which now has Jason Heyward in right, Eric Hinske in left and Melky Cabrera in center field. The player would be seen playing a crucial role in the outfield area as outfielder Nate McLouth has been recently demoted to the minor league play after he recorded a low average of 0.168.

Rick Ankiel, who had played 27 games under the Kansas City Royals, had been able to maintain an average of 0.261 with 15 RBIs and four homers to his credit. Although he had missed out time after suffering thigh injury, manager Bobby Cox aptly pointed out that the player has come up “great defensively”. Chipper Jones, the third baseman of the Atlanta Braves praised Rick Ankiel as a “tremendous outfielder” who will help to “solidify things out there in center”.