What Do We Do With This Kid?

Question: Will Ruben Tejada ever hit 30 HRs in a season?

Answer: No.

Question: Will Ruben Tejada ever steal 30 bases in a season?

Answer: No.

Question: Will he ever score 100 runs or drive in 100 RBIs in a season?

Answer: Probably not.

Question: So, what do we do with Ruben Tejada?

The easiest way to the majors for a middle infielder, is through his defense. That's how Ruben emerged as a replacement to an injured Jose Reyes when he was still 20. The issue with a player like Ruben is that beyond the fielding... it's hard to find him time to play. Check out the ranks for our top 6 MI people based on Defense, Offense, Running and Power:

Defense:
Reyes > Tejada > Valdespin > Havens > Turner > Murphy

Offense:
Reyes > Murphy > Havens > Turner > Valdespin > Tejada

Running:
Reyes > Valdespin > Tejada > Turner > Havens > Murphy

Power:
Murphy > Havens > Valdespin > Turner > Reyes > Tejada

Top Options:
1. Jose Reyes
2. Jordany Valdespin
3. Reese Havens
4. Daniel Murphy
5. Justin Turner
6. Ruben Tejada

Out of the six options... Ruben is the worst overall. Wait... he's also the youngest. PLUS, he's hit for average... that's worth something, right?

I've heard Keith Hernandez talk about the importance of defense up the middle enough that I sometimes long for the dulcet tones and ridiculous bias of John Sterling. Ruben Tejada's defense is important... but I can not give a player a starting job on the MLB club when there ARE superior options at our disposal.

The Glass Half Empty: This September, Jordany will get a shot to prove he can cut it in the pros. It's not a make or break opportunity but he'll get the opportunity to preview his skills. Likewise, Joshua Satin (who I didn't list) and MAYBE Reese Havens (Probably going to AFL instead) will get some swings. In the end... There is only one way that Ruben Tejada ever starts for the New York Mets. If Jose Reyes does not return... Tejada is the starting SS. Otherwise... he's a very young bench player who has PEAKED... as a bench player.

The Glass Half Full: In a perfect world... maybe Ruben Tejada could be a new version of Fernando Vina or Placido Polanco. I think Ruben could be that good (better if you consider he plays SS too) and these guys were and are (in Polanco's case) legit starters.