Ex-Angel Adam Kennedy released by Cardinals

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The Cardinals this morning released Adam Kennedy, the second baseman best remembered in Southern California as the player who hit three home runs for the Angels in the game that clinched their lone World Series appearance.

Kennedy, 33, hit .280 with two home runs last season. The Cardinals must pay him the $4 million remaining on his contract, so any team that signs him would owe only the minimum $400,000.

Paul Cohen, Kennedy’s agent, said the Cardinals told him that they had not been able to resolve their glut of outfielders via trade and now want to try Skip Schumaker at second base. Schumaker, 29, from Aliso Niguel High and UC Santa Barbara, hit .302 with eight home runs last season. He has played 296 major league games, all as an outfielder.

Cohen acknowledged the timing of the Cardinals’ decision could complicate Kennedy’s chance to find a job this season, particularly given that dozens of free agents remain available even as spring training camps open this week.

‘There’s never been a market like this in February before,’ Cohen said.

-- Bill Shaikin