Cardinals fans have historically adored spunky players who play the game of baseball with determination and grit. Schumaker fits that profile perfectly.
Unfortunately for Schumaker, the rest of his skills are not aligned with what the Cardinals are looking for in 2013 and beyond.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told B.J. Rains of FoxSportsMidwest.com on Monday that the Cardinals would be interested in moving Schumaker if a suitor presented itself. Rains also reported that Schumaker would be open to a trade for a chance at a better opportunity.
In my opinion, Mozeliak should jump at this window of opportunity quickly and move Schumaker to the first team that shows the slightest amount of interest.
Schumaker has given the Cardinals several decent seasons, but unfortunately the Cardinals just do not have any use for him any longer.
Schumaker hit just .276 with only one home run and 28 RBIs on 2012. This is after a season where Skip had similar results, hitting just. 283 with two homers in 2011.
That production simply is not enough to justify paying the light-hitting Schumaker $1.5 million in 2013.
In an era dominated by sabermetrics and fantasy baseball, Schumaker offers very little besides an occasional single through the hole between first and second base.
Schumaker does not hit for power. He does not have exceptional speed. He does not play very good defense at second base. Finally, he can't hit left-handed pitching very well either.
That is an insurmountable amount of shortcomings to overcome when prospects like Oscar Taveras and Kolten Wong are waiting in the wings, waiting to contribute to a perrennial World Series contender.
I do not mean to pile on Schumaker when he is down, but he has been a liability on the Cardinals roster for a few seasons. Schumaker was a favorite of former manager Tony La Russa and benefited from La Russia's fondness of his winning attitude and hard work.
La Russa has obviously moved on and now, sk should Schumaker.
To Schumaker's credit he has always been an outstanding teammate from all accounts. But if Mozeliak is able to find a willing taker, Schumaker should be a good teammate somewhere else in 2013.