While seeing what the Cardinals have in Diaz likely has more upside for the team given Tejada’s career record, it is hard to fault the Cardinals for bringing in a major leaguer at such a low cost.
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As much as the Mets wanted to pocket the $2.5 million saved by cutting Tejada loose this early, they surely didn’t want to see him in pinstripes.
The ex-Mets shortstop signed a one-year free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Tejada received a $500,000 buyout as part of his release.
He was the odd man out in NY after the Mets retooled their infield with the additions of Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera, leaving Tejada and Wilmer Flores to fill the same role.
But they had some competition: The Yankees offered Tejada a minor league invite to spring training.
Tejada went through a workout with his new team after signing. The Cardinals had been in search of a stopgap shortstop, as Jhonny Peralta is expected to be sidelined until the All-Star break after suffering a torn ligament in his left thumb. Former Cardinal John Lackey did the same thing previous year, Garcia and Matheny noted. Despite the Cardinals reportedly having no interest in trading for Tejada when he was placed on waivers, it was a logical landing spot for the 26-year old shortstop. With Opening Day still two weeks away, however, it’s a bit premature to be worrying about that.
Through eight games this spring, Tejada was making a solid case to make the team, hitting.
Tejada was hitting. 278 in 18 spring training at-bats with a homer, triple and double. As you probably recall, Tejada had his leg broken on Chase Utley’s infamous NLDS take-out slide.
“I come here ready and positive”, Tejada said to the New York Post. “I just have to continue to compete and until I hear something, then I’ll react to it”.
He had a meaningful year last season for the Mets, producing 23 doubles, 28 RBIs, and three homeruns while hitting.261. 219 with five HR and 44 RBI. He was once considered the heir apparent to Jose Reyes.
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As for the Cardinals current options at shortstop, Jedd Gyorko was always going to be a stretch as a regular shortstop.
