Predicting the NL Central

[veryzer]

<!--quoteo(post=22990:date=Mar 11 2009, 08:40 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Mar 11 2009, 08:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cardinals’ Second Base Experiment Stalling
By Joe Strauss
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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. <b>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.</b>

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.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


And some of you are seriously worried about the Cardinals?
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i'm not. there isn't a single team that worries me in the central....except the cubs.

[kbwsb]

There's a reason we made fun of the idea of Murton playing second. That's a fielding-first position, like SS. We were spoiled by Ryno, but 2nd baseman usually don't hit too well.

Good to see the Cards imploding a little. BTW, how have Miles, Font, and the other IFers looked at their many positions?

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=23085:date=Mar 12 2009, 09:53 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Mar 12 2009, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->There's a reason we made fun of the idea of Murton playing second. That's a fielding-first position, like SS. We were spoiled by Ryno, but 2nd baseman usually don't hit too well.

Good to see the Cards imploding a little. BTW, how have Miles, Font, and the other IFers looked at their many positions?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
By all accounts, I think the only guy that's looked real bad in the field has been Soriano.

[ColoradoCub]

I thought Jake Fox had sort of struggled at 3B too.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=23094:date=Mar 12 2009, 10:35 AM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Mar 12 2009, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I thought Jake Fox had sort of struggled at 3B too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well yeah, he sucks at everything defensively.