The Washington Nationals headed down to the Winter Meetings in Dallas this week with a lot of expectations and hopes to get a big deal done. Four days late and they're still working on their first signing, and according to Jon Heyman, that first signing is actually a re-signing; of outfielder Rick Ankiel.
Ankiel was a frustrating player for the Nationals last year. He would show flashes of brilliance in the outfield and occasional power at the plate, but he just didn't get on base nearly enough to be an everyday player at any position. But as a fourth or even fifth outfielder who could serve as a defensive replacement late in games, Ankiel could be very good.
It might not be the big move that Nationals fans were hoping for coming into this week, but the Nationals are hoping to upgrade their bench, and as long as they produce a player that can start over Ankiel in the outfield, he could be a very solid pickup for the bench.