In what was presumably a cost-cutting measure, the New York Mets released Ruben Tejada during Spring Training. As a result, the Mets started the season with Eric Campbell on the Opening Day roster and suspect organizational depth behind him.
When Lucas Duda went down with a stress fracture in his lower back, the team’s depth issues were exposed. Campbell has started in 14 of the last 18 games for the Mets and is hitting just .182/.303/.255 on the season with 20 strikeouts in 55 at-bats. The only reason why Campbell is playing every day is because Wilmer Flores is still on the DL and the team’s other two options, Matt Reynolds and Ty Kelly, are even more underwhelming than Campbell. The Mets need to get better on the bench and soon.
The obvious and most likely answer, is Flores, once he comes off the DL. That’s assuming he turns around his thus far disappointing season when he takes over the first base job in Duda’s absence. But the Mets still need to replace Flo’s role as the utility infielder. The Mets still need someone who can play semi-regularly at third when David Wright sits, and Campbell, Reynolds and Kelly are not the answer. Neither of them are proven major league commodities, nor are they as good – and proven – as Tejada is.
As per ESPN’s Mark Saxson, Tejada has been designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals. This gives the Cards 10 days to either trade him, release him, put him on waivers, or outright him to the minors (which Tejada could refuse). If you ask me, the Mets should be interested.
If Tejada were to come back, the Mets’ bench would be instantly improved. In his last two seasons with the Mets, Tejada averaged 118 games while batting .249/.340/.330. Not earth-shattering I know, but certainly a considerable improvement over the production the Mets are getting now.
Plus it’s worth noting that while working with hitting coach Kevin Long last season, Tejada produced a .287/.362/.362 batting line in the second half. He eventually wrestled the starting shortstop position away from Wilmer Flores, the same Flores whom the Mets are relying upon heavily this year. Tejada plays an above average second, third, and short.
This year, the Mets don’t need Tejada to take over the shortstop position. Instead, the Mets need to strengthen their bench with capable major league players. The only obstacle to adding Tejada would be the money. But at the prorated portion of $1.5 million, which was half of the contract the Mets had tendered him in the first place, the dollars shouldn’t be an obstacle.
This isn’t about adding a big bat to replace Lucas Duda, it’s about improving on the poor production the Mets have been getting from the utility infielders on the bench.
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