As this article was being prepared, the Cardinals made a shakeup in their infield on June 6. Second baseman Kolten Wong, who was signed to a five year, $25.5 million deal in Spring Training, was sent down to Triple-A to make room for Jhonny Peralta who is returning from thumb surgery. Matt Carpenter will move from third base to second, rookie sensation Aledmys Diaz (batting .328 through Sunday, with 30 RBI) will stay at shortstop while Peralta takes over at third base.
Carpenter started at second base for the Cardinals in 2013 when they won the National League pennant. Peralta has gone much longer without seeing action at the hot corner, last starting a game at third base in 2010 with the Tigers. In his career, he has started 203 games at third. Perhaps the Cardinals are looking to give a boost to their offense as Wong, who had played 41 games at second this season, had just a .592 OPS this season. Carpenter, the National League player of the week, has a robust .931 OPS at this writing.
Next: Milwaukee Brewers Trade Deadline Preview
Since the team is second in the majors in runs, third in slugging percentage and fourth in on-base percentage, the offense is not the issue with this team. Still, the fact that the team is willing to send down a highly paid player for the good of the team tells the other players that they will do whatever is necessary to win no matter the payroll implications.