23
2012
MMO Fair or Foul: Ruben Tejada Replaces A Mets Icon
An article by 
This morning’s edition of Fair or Foul features an excerpt from the Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers who writes an ominous portrayal of the 2012 Mets after slotting them at number 25 in his MLB Power Rankings.
Nothing will matter more at this point than the question of whether the 22-year-old Tejada is capable of replacing the ultra-popular Jose Reyes at shortstop; it also wouldn’t hurt if Reyes turned into a $106 million flop in Miami. Reyes never really wanted to go on the free-agent market. He would have been fine being a lifelong Met, and might have thought he was going to be one as recently as July 31. That’s when Alderson declined efforts from teams such as the Giants, Tigers and Brewers to trade for him. But the Mets were hoping Reyes’ injury history — he has averaged only 98 games over the last three years — would lessen the interest in him on the market.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria instead traveled to New York to start a whirlwind romance at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 3, the start of the free-agent period. Tejada essentially became the Mets’ shortstop at that moment. He’s a solid fielder — better than Reyes, according to defensive metrics — but has shown only average hitting ability. Should Tejada slump, Collins will turn to former Cub and Pirate Ronny Cedeno, who signed for $1 million. ~ Phil Rogers
Not that it really matters or that it will change anything at this point, but what are your expectations for Ruben Tejada this season? Furthermore, what type of numbers do you expect Jose Reyes to put up this season in that stacked Miami Marlins lineup? Obviously the warm weather is exactly what the doctors ordered for Reyes’ hamstrings and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him score 120 runs this season while swiping 40+ stolen bases and even flexing a little muscle and hitting 10-12 home runs in his Marlins debut.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
26 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- BadBadLeroyBrown: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: He kills every pitcher....has he put "Everyday...
- Bill J: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: Gee was clearly running on fumes and...
- Hans: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: The Fox announcers are learning how bad...
- RandomGuy: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: Thats the second home run Gee has...
- Paul's Mets: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: Gee looking better. Gee, Marcum, Niese have been...
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5394 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
I would be happy .260-.275 Ave. with 50-75 runs scored and errorless play at SS. I consider him WAY below Reyes but above a Rafael Santana in hitting.
I don’t think he’s way below Reyes defensively at all. Even when he came up in 2010 I thought he was better defensively at SS than Reyes although Reyes has the better arm and I prefer Tejada at 2B. He showed great range going into the hole towards his right.
I’m comfortable with him as SS, would build with him at SS and expect a .270 – .290 AVG, some clutch hits/big RBIs and an OBP of around .350 to 360
Sorry Bayonne, I meant hitting wise as in the last word of the sentence.. Only because of Reyes extra base potential. where he can turn a single into a double and double into a triple. Defensively I agree, Reyes arm is better, but you only need to get it there before the runner.
If he can hit .260 to .280, score 80+ runs and play solid defense he should be fine. He won’t be in the lead-off spot so I don’t expect Reyes type numbers. Hitting second or 7th should be a good slots for him.
It really isn’t fair to hold up Reyes as what we need Tejada to be. Reyes didn’t fulfill those expectations a good chunk of the time.
If he gives .260 with a decent OBP and solid defense, I’ll be happy.
I am looking forward to Tejada hopefully making the routine plays at SS and maybe some exceptional ones here and there while trying to improve or at worst maintain what he gave the Mets with his bat for the most part in 2011. Most importantly staying healthy enough to where he plays the bulk of the games at SS in 2012.
Tejada’s biggest obstacle this season will probably be the unfair comparisons between him and Reyes. Once it’s understood he’s not going to be Reyes hopefully his numbers when all is said and done will compare somewhat favorably.
I liked Tejada better at 2nd but small sample size and all he might be a very competent SS. The biggest difference defensive wise between him and Reyes – IMO – is speed. Reyes had great range b/c he was quick. Don’t think Tejada will have the same type of range but I expect he’ll get just about everything he goes after and make the plays with minimal defensive mistakes. I know Reyes has a bullet for an arm but I don’t think Tejada’s is all that much less.
As far as hitting, I have no idea. I hope he progresses better than the ‘light hitting’ tag some have put on him. Just get on base, Ruben….
I doubt very much that Tejada is anything more than a stopgap until Wilmer Flores, Jordany Valdespin or Danny Muno are ready. Tejada’s is most likely nothing more than a good field/no hit guy for the bench.
They’ve already moved Flores to 3B.Not sure Muno has the arm to stay at SS and Valdespin’s future is also as a 2nd baseman.I think Ruben is our SS for the foreseeable future.
couple of things:
1) Reyes said numerous times during the year that he was excited to be getting is first chance to explore FA. Not saying that returning to the Mets wasn’t his ultimate desire, but absolutely he wanted to see what the market would offer him.
2) At least last year, and I think in previous instances, he hurt his hammies in the middle of the summer, so can’t really blame it on the cold early season weather! Heck, a couple years back, he got hurt playing in P.R.
As to Tejada, you can’t really compare him to Reyes (at least the recent one). Maybe to reyes at the same age/service time (a much fairer one actually).
But you really need to compare him to “normal” SSs since Reyes is gone (meaning what were the other options).
so ask the question, is tejada as good as the Scuttaro/lugos of the world? Or whatever passes for the SS play that most teams get.
Scutaro would be a slight improvement over Tejada offensively because of his higher – but still not great – OPS. But Tejada did take a big jump in the right direction from 2010 so who knows with him. Maybe he’ll keep growing at the plate and prove to be an important contributor.
I think Ruben will be fine.He’ll go through some growing pains with the bat and still needs to work on the backhanded play in the hole.I’ll be happy if he goes 270/350/370 720
What world does Phil Rogers live in? Of course Reyes wanted to go to the free agent market; any rationally minded baseball player from a horrible team would. He may not have wanted to leave, but let’s be real…
I am excited to see Tejada move over to SS. He’ll be a better fielder than Reyes. At the plate it’s a different story, though. If he could just hit for extra bases and hover around .290, I would be happy. Realistically though, its hard to tell how Ruben is going to handle the added pressure of replacing Reyes and being expected to contribute more as he develops. In fact, he is still developing, so hopefully he can take a step in the right direction.
Who cares what Reyes is going to hit with the Marlins? I know they are in the division and all, but Reyes is gone. The Mets need to do everything in their power to play good baseball and hopefully things will fall their way. Reyes shouldn’t have that big of an impact on their season when you look at the grand scheme of things.
I look at Tejada as a guy who will probably be a career .270ish hitter, who, during an exceptional season could go as high as .290. But, I would expect in his first year as the everyday starter at SS he will be somewhere in the .265 BA area, with 25 doubles and 2 or 3 HRs (maybe). Defensively, considering his fielding pct. has never been exceptional, I would have to predict a fielding pct in his first full MLB SS season to be around .965 with somewhere around 20 E’s.
Reyes, on the other hand, considering the lineup around him, I would expect, in his first season, he would play around 150 games, bat around .290, with 50 SB, and probably lead MLB in runs scored with 130ish. Overall, I think the Marlins are going to get 4 injury free seasons out of Reyes…considering his injury history, if you get 4 150 game seasons out of a 6 year deal for Reyes, I think anyone would take that.
given that his SBs have been decreasing the last few years, the recent history of leg problems, and having signed the “set for life” contract, I would be surprised to see him go back to stealing a ton of bags again.
I agree….that’s why I went with 50 SBs, as opposed to 65. This past season, he had 39 SBs in 126 games…which translates to 49 SBs had he played a full season. Just a prediction. I just think he is going to put forth an enormous effort considering the amount of the contract and the fact that he has a great team around him…hopefully, that effort won’t result in a leg injury.
Reyes was outlandishly good stealing bases in 2005-2008. In the three years since then, Jose has averaged 27 swipes. I think he’ll be closer to his recent average than the terror on the bases he once was. After signing huge contracts, many players revert back to their pre walk year number. Let’s wait and see.
Tejada is a .250 hitter with no power who will be a career utility man at best once the mets get a better player to replace him with,He has value, but playing everyday will expose his shortcomings at bat and in the field imho.Last year he had no pressure or demands placed on him.The added pressure of playing every day from day one and replacing Reyes will be too much for a young guy to handle.I see Cedeno getting a lot of starts to help out
I don’t think it’s fair to compare him to Reyes at all, or, to anyone else for that matter. He is still developing. He could be defensively, a near gold glove performer…one never knows. Offensively, if he continues developing and puts more weight on, he could develop a bit of gap power and drive the ball some…there is potential for growth, he’s only 22. He may develop more than everyone expects or anticipates. He’s exceeded expectations as a hitter already, no? I recall him being pegged as an all field no hit guy even just 2-3 years ago. I love Jose, always will think fondly of him, but Tejada’s my SS now, and i’ll root for him until he proves unable to perform, or be productive in his role as the starter..give tje kid a chance. He’s not Jose, never will be. I just want him to be Ruben…stay within himself, and without pressure continue his development. Any other comparison is unfair.
Ruben’s range has been very good. His FLD% has been very mediocre. Is he a Jekyll-Hyde? None of us know. We’ll have to wait and see.
!st 2 Seasons: G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI K BB AVG OBP SLG OPS SB CS
Reyes 122 494 80 140 28 6 7 46 67 18 .285 .306 .407 .713 32 5
Tejada 174 544 59 139 27 1 1 51 88 47 .256 .338 .314 .652 7 3
Reyes superior in the BIG offensive categories:Runs; triples / hrs / OPS / SB’s but hits, ‘even’; Tejada’s better OBP; 2B’s ‘even’; and Tejada more BB’s.
Conclusion: Reyes the better offensive player, but Tejada not too shabby.
Point made. i think!
Ooops, columns got messed up when i submitted comment; just count from ‘left – right’ and you should be able to decipher. Sorry.
…and Reyes / Tejada were ‘even’ in RBI’s over their first two seasons at an at-bat productivity rate…Tejada is NOT Reyes, for sure, but he also is not a slouch and is a very good, young ballplayer.
Expectations Hmmmm. Well being as objective as I can, Tejada hmmm .270 .340 .320 10 SB and good defense. I would not be surprised if he hit better than that but this is his first real year. I konw he isn’t a real rookie but he hasn’t started the year as a starter and went through the rigors yet of 600 ab’s. I have not had the trouble detaching myself from Reyes expectations cause well Reyes is still fairly fresh in my mind. Outside of the past 2 years he struck out too much and his speed game was oddly inconsistent. I was not happy to see him go but I think the team may be more consistant with Tejada there.
Nice hearing from all of Ruben Tejada’s agents and family members.Especially cousin Nathan who thinks the team will be consistent now that we have replaced one of the best 2 way ss’s in MLB with a complete question mark.I guess based on Duda’s 300 pressure free AB’s last year we can project him as the triple crown winner in 2012.