UPDATE: It’s a done deal, complete with the team’s plans for his playing time:
Rick Ankiel in lineup tonight, playing center field.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) May 13, 2013
Terry Collins said Rick Ankiel will start against righties and Juan Lagares against lefties in center field.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) May 13, 2013
Bonus fun: he chose number 16 because he was a big Doc Gooden fan back in the day.
4PM: One would have thought that when the Houston Astros, the worst team in baseball, had no more use for Rick Ankiel that his career might be over. But never underestimate the power of specialization. For while the Astros are the worst overall team, the Mets may very well have the very worst outfield. And that, my friends, presents an opportunity for Mr. Ankiel.
Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are “in talks on a deal” for Ankiel, though it is not known if it’s serious or imminent or whatever.
Ankiel was hitting a paltry .194 with a .234 on-base percentage and had a miserable 35/3 K/BB ratio in 65 plate appearances when Houston released him. He did have five homers, though, so maybe he can find a place on the Mets.