28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Skip Schumaker took full advantage of the extended playing time he got this season. He has played in 148 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 159 for 525 (.303 avg, .771 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 8 homers, 46 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. His power is a little light for a corner outfielder meaning that he could possibly return to the bench next season but Tony LaRussa has to be proud of Schumaker and he will make sure he gets plenty of playing time in 2009.

Adam Kennedy has requested that the Cardinals move him in the offseason as he is disappointed in his playing time at 2B. Felipe Lopez and Aaron Miles are getting most of the at bats at 2B for the Cardinals right now and that won’t likely change next season. Kennedy has played in 107 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 87 for 320 (.272 avg, .668 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 2 homers, 35 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Those numbers aren’t bad but the Cardinals wanted more from Kennedy. It might be hard for the Cardinals to find a taker for Kennedy because of his contract.

The Cardinals have lost starting CF Rick Ankiel for the rest of the season due to a abdominal injury. Ankiel played in 120 games for the Cardinals this season and he was 109 for 413 (.264 avg, .843 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 25 homers and 71 RBIs. The Cardinals will miss Ankiel’s power but Skip Schumaker will likely do a good job in his place. Schumaker has played in 138 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 149 for 489 (.305 avg, .778 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 8 homers, 43 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

The Cardinals have lost outfielder Joe Mather for the season due to a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Mather played in 54 games for the Cardinals this season and he was 32 for 133 (.241 avg, .780 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 8 homers and 18 RBIs. This is too bad as the Cardinals could have used Mather down the stretch.