"Rick Ankiel, the former Cardinals phenom pitcher-turned-outfielder, is on the move to Kansas City after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Royals, who may make him their new center fielder.

The deal will need the weekend to be made final. Formalities such as a physical most likely will delay any announcement until Monday.

The agreement gives Ankiel a $3.25 million guarantee for 2010 that includes a $500,000 buyout on a $6 million mutual option for 2011. The Royals' opening-day payroll now projects just below $70 million, thought to be the team's upper limit.

Ankiel's addition dramatically changes the look of this season's team, particularly in center field. With 2009 opening-day starter Coco Crisp gone over the offseason, the Royals brought in Brian Anderson for a one-year, $700,000 contract to challenge incumbent Mitch Maier. They then added Scott Podsednik for a one-year deal worth $1.75 million, and he became the likely favorite. Now Ankiel figures to be the best of the bunch.

Ankiel, who played parts of seven seasons for the Cardinals, also has experience in left field. But the most likely regular outfield figures to be Podsednik in left, Ankiel in center and David DeJesus - last year's left fielder - in right. José Guillen - last year's right fielder - would move to designated hitter. Anderson has options remaining; Maier does not."