Comments on: 2012 Mets Player Review: Ruben Tejada, SS

By: Bernard Larsen

Bernard Larsen — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:45:29 +0000

MT played well enough to keep his job next year. He performed at least as well as expected and is affordable, and one of the best hitters on a Shi*ty team. There are a plenty of other worries, and a few minor leaguers working there way through the system

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 03:25:06 +0000

Most MLBers can score from 1st on a double…that’s the benefit of taking a lead. However, he is not a fast runner, this is proven by his 1 career triple in 1008 career ABs. I agree that he may be a 30 double a year guy at some point (35 is pushing it), but that doesn’t make up for his lack of HRs, OBP, and SBs. If he could steal 25+ bases per year, then he would have a lot more use as a top-of-the-order guy…but, that’s not happening right now…plus, Alderson believes SBs are a “footnote” so I doubt they will be pressuring him to learn how to steal. Tejada is a #8 hitter, plain and simple.

By: taskmaster4450

taskmaster4450 — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:22:36 +0000

Actually Tejada is a terrific #2 hitter. He goes to RF a lot (too bad the Met manager doesnt use the hit and run), should hit 30-35 doubles if playing a full year, and has enough speed to score from 1st on a double. Hopefully his strikeout rate will come down meaning he is even more of a contact hitter. That is what is needed in the two hole behind the speedster (which is non existent on the Mets) at the top of the order.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:39:39 +0000

Tejada played well defensively and should improve there. Offensively, though, he is a problem for the Mets….he’s a #8 hitter, but due to the Mets limitations, they make him a top-of-the-order guy. Batting in the .280s is great for him, however, considering he has 1 career triple and 2 career homeruns and only hits 25-30 doubles per year…he cannot bat high in the order because he doesn’t put himself in position to score runs. He is a station-to-station base runner…this is proven by his 11 career SBs in 18 career attempts…which is a bad SB percentage. Bottom line is he is a higher average/lesser defensive Rey Ordonez. He is who he is, he’ll be a solid defender but must bat in the 8-hole.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:04:52 +0000

I thought Tejada did a good job but I don’t think that the main question about Tejada has been answered. To me at least, the question about Tejada coming into the season was whether he had the endurance to be an everyday player. Has that question been answered? He missed 9 weeks and still wore down in the second half. To be fair to Tejada, so did the rest of Mets which makes me think that there is a problem with the conditioning program the Mets are using in season, that is if they even have a conditioning program. Tejada made his fair share of acrobatic plays but at least to my eyes and this is totally subjective, he gives away around four feet in range when compared to Reyes and has an accurate, league average arm, but not a bazooka by any means. In order for Tejada to grow as an offensive and defensive player he needs to work on his first step quickness. If Tejada can get a better jump in the field and on the bases then he can increase his range and become an effective base stealer.