What Does the Skip Schumaker Signing Do with Plans for Brandon Phillips?

The Cincinnati Reds just signed utility player Skip Schumaker to a two year deal according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Sources: #Reds, free agent Skip Schumaker agree on two-year deal, pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 18, 2013

Financial information was not available and of course, the deal is pending Shumaker passing a physical exam with the Reds.

With all of the post-season talk about bidding adieu to second-baseman Brandon Phillips, it makes one think this is just a pre-emptive strike to open that door. Schumaker will be clocking in with his former boss at St. Louis, Walt Jocketty. Schumaker also played in the same lineup with Reds Left-fielder Ryan Ludwick for four years.

Schumaker has split his playing time almost dead even in his nine-year career, in the outfield and at second base. He has a career slash line of .285/.344/.372. Those numbers compare very favorably to Phillips: .271/.320/.429. 

He doesn’t have the pop in his bat that Phillips does, but he does have a considerably better OBP. They are equal at drawing walks and Shumaker whiffs about 50 percent less than Phillips.

In his only three full-seasons, Schumaker has a line of .291/.351/.380.

I am not saying that the Reds are looking at Shumaker as a full time replacement for Phillips, but he does have value in that he could be placed in four different positions late in the game if necessary. He also is not known as a “hot dog” or a trouble maker.

The journeyman’s salary has been $1.5M for each of the past two seasons so he will not break the bank. Sending Phillips home without bus fare would lighten the Reds payroll load pretty well.

Whether Jocketty plans on trading, or selling Phillips I feel this is a good, if not excellent acquisition.

Schumaker, who will be 34 when the 2014 season begins has been with just two teams, playing with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past season, where he batted .263 in a backup role.