The final image Mets fans may have of Ruben Tejada playing in a Mets uniform may be of the shortstop being viciously taken out at second base by Chase Utley in the NLDS. The Mets are still considering non-tendering Tejada—a possibility floated last week—as he recovers from a fractured fibula. Tejada made his debut with the Mets as a 20-year-old in 2010 and has been in the organization since signing as a free agent in 2006.
The move would not come as a surprise, as Tejada could earn up to $3 million next year. For a team that is always counting pennies, paying any significant money for someone who figures to be an average backup does not make much sense. Tejada made $1.88 million last year and is currently arbitration-eligible. The Mets have a history of avoiding arbitration with most of their players.
Even with a bit of a revival last season, Tejada still only batted .261 with a .338 on-base percentage and .688 OPS. Although he showed some value by playing games at second and third base, he rated poorly in nearly all defensive categories. Tejada, Wilmer Flores, and Matt Reynolds are all currently on the Mets' 40-man roster and all have experience playing shortstop.