So what about injuries? A lot of folks have been on record stating that the Mets couldn’t bear to part with Ruben Tejada in the event of injury to a key player. Well, that happened Thursday with Asdrubal Cabrera leaving the game early due to a problem with his knee. They’re all quick to feel vindicated with Tejada coming in to replace Cabrera as a pinch runner and then take over at shortstop.
However, remember that Wilmer Flores was not used in that role because he was already in the game in place of the slowly preparing David Wright at 3B. If Wright was playing, it’s likely Flores would have been brought into the game at SS as he proved while starting last year he could replicate Cabrera’s offensive numbers and actually bettered his defensive numbers. Tejada would have been left sitting on the bench.
“But, but, but…what if you lost out on both Cabrera and Wright? What then?”
Well, in that case you have a few options. If a DL stint would be required for either one of them then Dilson Herrera is just a phone call away in Las Vegas. He’s demonstrated an ability to hit at the minor league level and is projected to be able to make the adjustments against major league caliber pitching. Even in his limited trials during 2014 and 2015 as a 20 and 21 year old player he hit a paltry .215 but slugged 6 Hrs and drove in 17 in just 149 Abs. Quadruple that output to represent a full season and you’re looking at 24 Hrs and 68 RBIs. Throw in 8 or so Sbs as well. He or Neil Walker could man 2B and 3B with Wilmer Flores at SS. The backup would then likely be Matt Reynolds who is on the 40 man roster.
Now that’s an extreme example of two long term injuries taking out two quality ballplayers and STILL there isn’t a pressing need for the services of Ruben Tejada. Remember that even if a third injury occurred you have Gavin Cecchini, T.J. Rivera and even Danny Muno available to play infield defense, too.
$3 million is a lot to pay for a guy who doesn’t contribute much beyond his veteran presence on the roster. Just as the Jets saw fit Wednesday to sever ties with an under performer earning significantly less in Jeremy Kerley, saving them $1.3 million, the Mets would do well to peddle Tejada to a willing taker and replace him on the roster with one of the minimum wage alternatives. It has less to do with his relative talent than it does with being a smart business decision as it’s an expensive way to ensure the seats wear evenly on the bench. He’s not going to play. Get something for him – even a B or C level low minor league prospect – rather than wait until the end of spring training to cut him loose and get nothing while still owing him a percentage of his salary.
10 comments:
Ruben on the ropes. Can he climb off them?
Ruben on the ropes. Can he climb off them?
The 25-man was built with Astrubel Cabrera who is now wounded.
Moreover, your 'first up' (Cecchini) is still healing his hammy.
Right now, Tejada is going nowhere on my team
If there were teams banging on the Mets door, offering a top prospect for Tejada I would trade him. I don't think that is happening. Wright will be out a fair amount of games even when he is "healthy". Having Herrera at 2nd, Flores at SS and Walker at 3rd for more than a couple of innings is not going to work defensively.
Trading Tejada is not going to bring back anything that will improve this team. It may save them about 2.3 million but that doesn't seem to be an issue with management so it is no issue with me.
Now if the Cardinals offer up Alex Reyes than that is another story.
Again, you're painting scenarios where it would require Cabrera AND Wright AND potentially someone else out in order to find playing time for Tejada. Do you think it would be reasonable to assume a T.J. Rivera could at least produce Tejada's .255 AVG? Ditto Reynolds? Ditto Cecchini?
I'd sooner put that $2.5 million saved towards what it will take to lock up Syndergaard or de Grom or Harvey and roll the dice on the last man on the bench who shouldn't be playing sometimes for a week at a time.
Wright will be out at least 30 games if all goes well. That has already been established. All what it takes is one other player going down. Oh, that player has gone down, Cabrera.
I don't think that 2.5 million dollars gets put to the table for a pitcher. The Mets are dealing with there pitchers from a business stand point. Look at how their dealing with deGrom. They have the money.
Again if the Cardinals are offering Alex Rios then fine. The Cardinals need a SS. If a point comes during the season in which everyone is healthy and there is no room on the roster then do it at that point. If you can package him with a Gilmartin at the trading deadline for something of value then do it at that point. It makes absolute no point in even considering it now.
You might be caught in a little bit of past Met thinking when you are concerned of having to save $2.5 million in order to sign Syndegaard.
This is the New Mets. Proving that saving money is not the first priority.
Bottom line, Mets are in a new era. Crawled out of the "dark ages" of the past few years.
The need to pinch every penny is gone.
If Tejada can bring back something valuable the Mets need, sure trade away. The major league roster even has enough reinforcements that that value could build the minor league system.
If the Tejada's trade value does not out weigh his value to the Mets in 2016, there is no need to trade him away.
Reese, big day for Tejada. Taijeron too, though that has nothing to do with your article
Reese, big day for Tejada. Taijeron too, though that has nothing to do with your article
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