KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are reshaping their entire outfield and making Jose Guillen their full-time designated hitter.
While introducing newcomer Rick Ankiel on Monday, general manager Dayton Moore said the injury-prone Guillen would be replaced in right field by David DeJesus, last year's left fielder. The 30-year-old Ankiel will play center and Scott Podsednik, another newcomer, will be in left. Guillen is slated to make $13 million this season.
Ankiel agreed to a free agent contract last week after an unusual career in St. Louis, where he came up as a pitcher but converted to the outfield in 2006. He was doing well until running into an outfield wall last May, and his production declined after that.
Ankiel says he picked the Royals because they offered him an opportunity to play center.
