Cardinals’ Second Base Experiment Stalling
JUPITER, Fla. — What was intended as a bold stroke to inject additional offense into the Cardinals’ lineup increasingly appears to be an experiment running out of time.
Outfield-turned-second baseman Skip Schumaker committed his fourth error of camp in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Florida Marlins. Schumaker lined an early opposite-field single that kept his Grapefruit League average at .333. However, when he allowed a side-spinning chopper to beat him in the third inning, it became Schumaker’s fourth error in 10 games, dropping his fielding percentage to .826 (12 assists, 7 putouts, 4 errors). Unaccounted for within Schumaker’s fielding stats are several unmade double plays, one of which left first baseman Albert Pujols dangerously exposed in the baseline last Sunday. A forgiving official scorer allowed Schumaker to avoid a fifth error earlier in camp.
Schumaker’s error Wednesday led to two unearned runs during a three-run third inning against starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer.
“It’s the easy play that has been the error, not the tough play, so far,” summed Schumaker.
Manager Tony La Russa is growing impatient with persisting questions about the matter. But he is also less adamant about his idea’s chances of success. La Russa said he would use Schumaker as designated hitter in today’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Brendan Ryan and Joe Thurston are leading possibilities to receive the start. Schumaker exited Wednesday’s game after 4 1/2 innings.
“You know how many times we’ve talked about the closing situation, second base… whatever it is?” La Russa said. “Somewhere down the line, after there’s been enough evaluating time, then I’ll give you some answers, whether it’s about the pitchers, second base, or whatever. But not now. Because it’s not fair to our club. It’s not fair to any decision you make, good or bad.”
Schumaker says he is holding up well physically but admits the mental grind wears on him. “I think about it a lot, that’s for sure,” he says.
Added Schumaker, who has never ducked the issue: “I feel like I’m making a little bit of progress every day. I knew coming into this it was not going to be an easy thing and it’s going to take a lot of work. I know I’ve been here three or four weeks; I know it takes guys years to get this thing down. It’s going to be a work in progress the whole year. It’s not just going to take one month of spring training.”
Asked about the pressure on Schumaker, La Russa emphasized that he is “watching it very closely. I’m trying to make the best decision I can… the best decision I can for every place there is an issue.”
La Russa’s options include Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden, Thurston, Tyler Greene and Jarrett Hoffpauir. None has received significant game exposure at the position to date. “I know Barden can play second base. I know Ryan can play second base. I believe I’ve seen enough of Thurston to know he can play. I’m not hurting our team,” La Russa said.
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(13 votes, average: 4.62 out of 5)
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OOPS!
Joe, you’re slipping. You waited until the bottom of the second paragraph to take the obligatory shot at the official scorers.
Joe’s motto: “There’s no ‘e’ in Busch.”
at least we don’t have Kennedy at second anymore.
It’s still too early to tell. Skip’s problem is that he’s wound up too tight. He needs to be more relaxed out there. Working him into the position will be a season-long process. People need realistic expecations here. Skip will do just fine if this is done right.
Your comments are getting old. Everyone says the same thing that we are being unfair for not going him time. Last time a checked these are major league players. We have a minor league for guys who are not yet ready. Send him to the minors for a few months that the beginning of the season to get everyday playing time and bring him up when he is ready.
OK…finally, the first cracks in the organizational armor regarding this issue. I think we all know where this is headed, and, frankly, I’m happy. Would have been great had it worked, but those with real knowledge of playing the game knew all along this was the longest of longshots, as opposed to a real possibility.
With the type of pitching staff the Cards have you simply cannot have a liability that big on the infield. Time to let Thurston, Ryan, Barden, TGreene, et al battle it out, and go with one or 2 of them.
Skip may have trouble making the team now, or will be a very nice trade chip.
Skip has no options, and there is no way he clears waivers to go down. Simple as that. If this is going to work (and I’m not saying it will or won’t), it must be done on the job.
“Skip may have trouble making the team now, or will be a very nice trade chip.”
He’s not going anywhere. He may be struggling at 2B, but he isn’t at the plate. He’s our lead-off guy and will stay that way in 2009. If he completely fails, then it hurts Rasmus and his chance to make the club, not Schumaker. He will have to learn as he plays. A few fielding or throwing errors doesn’t bother me, but if he can’t fluidly turn the double play by the end of spring training, then I think they have to insert B. Barden into 2B, and send Schumaker back to the OF.
Outfield surplus. 2nd base experiment. Uh, I think Schu has earned the right to be one of our outfielders. Has Duncan? Not hardly. Ankiel even has a little “green” to overcome. Ludwick is only one full year “proven”. Why does Schu have to be thrust to 2nd base. He’s done as much as any of the others I’ve listed. In fact, outside of power numbers, I’m as confident with him as any of our surplus. Get a second baseman, put Schu in the outfield, where he deserves, move some of the surplus, and shore up other areas the team needs help. I know easier said than done. But at least give it a try.
Joe Strauss you are way off base here. By your own reporting it does not sound like Tony has given up on Skip. You are placing unnecessary pressure or focus on this situation. The Cardinals have other options here if Skip folds so put your poison pen in your pocket and watch the game. Skip is just trying to do what the team needs and you are not.