Padres News: San Diego Padres Sign Skip Schumaker to Minor League Deal
The Padres made yet another addition to the organization for 2016 on Monday evening with the signing of infielder Skip Schumaker.
Source: Free-agent infielder Skip Schumaker to #Padres on minor-league deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2016
While this isn’t huge news, being that it is just a minor league deal, it is at least somewhat noteworthy. At this point in his career, at 36 years old, Schumaker should provide depth for the Padres next season, with an outside chance of earning a bench role in Spring Training.
Schumaker has been in the league since debuting with the Cardinals in 2005 and has played parts of eleven seasons with three different teams. Having most recently played for the Reds in 2015, Schumaker is looking to keep his career alive despite a poor season last year. Schumaker slashed only .242/.306/.336 last season for Reds, providing negative value in terms of WAR.
A career .278 hitter, Schumaker has never really been known for his bat or for his glove, being more of a strong utility player on good teams than a strong player in his own right. Schumaker did serve in that role well during two World Series runs with the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. Even so, for the Padres he is nothing more than depth, and a possible bench role on the roster.
For the Padres, Schumaker provides some veteran leadership that the team really could use in 2016. It remains to be seen whether Schumaker actually earns a spot on the roster, but he will certainly be given the chance in Spring Training. Given his experience, and his ability to play multiple positions in both the infield and outfield, Schumaker may be a useful piece for the Padres in 2016.
Oh yeah, he can also pitch. So there’s that.
Editorial and Prospect Writer for East Village Times. Twenty-five years young, Patrick has lived in San Diego for his entire life and has been a Padres fan nearly as long. Patrick lives for baseball and is always looking to learn new things about the game he loves through advanced stats.