Monday Feb. 8, 2010

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Second baseman Skip Schumaker and the St. Louis
Cardinals have agreed to a $4.7 million, two-year contract,
avoiding an arbitration hearing.

Schumaker will earn $2 million this season and $2.7 million in
2011. The deal also contains performance bonuses that could bring
the total value to $5 million over two years.

Schumaker, who turned 30 on Wednesday, hit .303 with four homers
and 35 RBIs in 153 games last year. He also switched from the
outfield to second base.

Schumaker, who was arbitration eligible for the first time, had
asked for $2.75 million while the Cardinals offered $1.45 million.
He made $430,000 last season St. Louis announced the deal on Monday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)