St. Louis Cardinals sign Skip Schumaker, let go of Ryan Theriot -MLB Update
Settling for necessity rather than luxury, the St. Louis Cardinals came to mutual agreement with infielder/outfielder, Skip Schumaker, to a two-year contract which is reported to be worth an estimated $3 million and a move which avoided arbitration set for
later on which was expected to offer the same amount for the player.
On the other hand, St. Louis Cardinals did not offer a contract to their infielder, Ryan Theriot, for the upcoming 2012 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, which is seen as a move to save on some money and settle for actually what they need rather
than want, making him an available free agent now.
Theriot was expected to be awarded nearly $4 million had he entered arbitration with the team this time around after hitting .271 last season.
"He's really one of the leaders in the clubhouse," St. Louis Cardinals general manager, John Mozeliak, said about the 31-year-old Schumaker. "He's one of the most respected players on the team."
Having lost Albert Pujols, their top-notch player and a superstar around the league, to the free agent market, the Cardinals are still looking to fill in a lot of holes in their roster.
"We're working diligently to fill our holes," said Mozeliak, adding that the team does not have any more signings planned in the upcoming days or till the end of this week at the least.
Outfielders and left handed bullpen are the players Mozeliak is reported to have his eyes set on in the free agent, making the situation certainly interesting.
Blaming the team not inking Theriot to a contract for next season on re-signing shortstop, Rafael Furcal, Mozeliak thinks that the player just would not have anything to prove against the others in the future.
"When you look at us being able to bring back Furcal and trying to give significant playing time to Tyler Greene, it doesn't seem to be a time where (Theriot) was going to get adequate opportunities here," Mozeliak said.
Now with the small details of the roster sorted out, the St. Louis Cardinals can now begin focusing on some of the bigger needs and wants of their team while they still have the time.
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