Report: Dodgers acquire Skip Schumaker for Jake Lemmerman

Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness reported tonight the Dodgers have sent infield prospect Jake Lemmerman to the Cardinals for infielder/outfielder Skip Schumaker.

The Dodgers, in need of a bench player, land a versatile player in Schumaker, 32, who can play second base and the outfield (including center field). He isn't going to unseat Mark Ellis as the team's starting second baseman, but he should get a decent amount of playing time between second base and the outfield.

He's a career .288/.345/.377 triple slash, which is better than I thought before I looked last week. He doesn't have any pop, which doesn't help the Dodgers in terms of power off the bench. Schumaker's versatility and decent on-base skills are his bread and butter.

Schumaker is signed through 2013 at $1.5 million. He's an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Not the preferred target, but not exactly a crippling trade, either.

Lemmerman, 23, played in Double-A this season and, save for one hot week, didn't do much with the Lookouts. He hit .233/.347/.378 with seven home runs, 29 doubles and posted an 11.8 percent walk rate.

His plate discipline was never a question, but he doesn't have much bat other than his solid on-base skills. He doesn't have much power and is a decent infielder. He plays mostly shortstop but profiles better long-term as a second baseman. He'll also see some time at the hot corner before he hangs up his spikes.

Lemmerman's upside is that of a poor man's Mark Loretta, minus the All-Star appearance. He isn't much of a loss for the Dodgers.

As Petriello pointed out, the Dodgers' 40-man roster is full, so a corresponding move will have to be made. Justin Sellers will likely be outrighted, but we'll see what happens.

Photo credits
Schumaker: Keith Allison, Flickr
Lemmerman: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue