Ankiel would help ease the pain of losing Ibanez. Ankiel is left-handed, can smash the ball and play great defense. The Cards need Putz and this deal could work out for both teams.A rival GM says the Cardinals have offered Rick Ankiel and a prospect to the Mariners for J.J. Putz, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports.
It seems like the Cards are really pushing Ankiel. They could be prepared to turn center field over to Colby Rasmus even after declining to give Rasmus a September callup. The Tigers have been the most persistent suitors for Putz, but Ankiel's power has to intrigue the Mariners. The problem there is that he's only a year away from free agency.