New York Mets News: Ruben Tejada Granted Extra Day of Service
New York Mets News: The Mets have granted Ruben Tejada one more day of service time, giving him the opportunity to become a free agent a year early.
The New York Mets have officially begun their quest to defending their 2015 National League Pennant, as Spring Training is officially underway. The Mets come in with a few new faces, as they upgraded a number of areas that were weaknesses at times last season. One of those areas was the middle infield.
With the trade that netted the Mets Neil Walker from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the signing of Asdrubal Cabrera, the Mets significantly upgraded their middle infield situation. One that was dire at times with very little production now has two solid veterans entrenched at shortstop and second base. Last season’s starting shortstop Wilmer Flores will take over in a utility role off the bench, while top prospects Gavin Cecchini and Dilson Herrera will probably receive more seasoning at Triple-A Las Vegas.
So, where does that leave incumbent Ruben Tejada? Tejada does not currently have a role with the Mets, as he will probably pick up some playing time backing up the same positions as Flores, minus first base. There were rumors that Tejada would be non-tendered this offseason, but the Mets tendered him a contract and agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million outside of an arbitration hearing.
The same thing was bound to happen this offseason, as the Mets have younger players pushing for a spot with the major league team, while Cabrera and Flores will still be around; Walker is a free agent after this season. But, Tejada will be able to avoid being non-tendered, as he will instead become a free agent after this season.
Coming into the offseason, Tejada was one day short of five years of major league service. That meant that he would once again be eligible for arbitration following the 2016 season. But, according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, Tejada will be a free agent after this season, and will not have to wait until after the 2017 season.
Ruben Tejada can be a free agent after this season. #Mets gave him one more day of service as part of his arbitration case settlement.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) February 24, 2016
Tejada was one day short of service for five full years, but the Mets have decided to credit him the one day so that he can become a free agent one year earlier. According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Tejada’s representatives had discussed potentially filing a grievance over service time from 2013. Here is the excerpt from what Rubin said:
"Back then, the Mets called up two players when rosters expanded on Sept. 1, reliever Greg Burke on Sept. 8, then had outfielder Mike Baxter, catcher Juan Centeno and right-hander Aaron Harang join the team after Triple-A Las Vegas’ season ended in the first round of the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Tejada’s promotion came a day later, on Sept. 10 — depriving him by a day of that full extra year of service."
There is a chance that Tejada would have been non-tendered after this season, as he looked to be a candidate for that this season. But, he will not have to worry about that as he will get to choose where he wants to play after 2016 as a free agent.
Tejada may struggle drumming up any interest in himself as playing time could be tough to come by this season. Tejada is the owner of a career .255/.330/.323 slash line, as he brings little production at the plate.
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He does have a decent glove, with versatility to play second base, shortstop and third base, which could entice some teams as a bench option. It is hard to envision Tejada getting a full-time starting spot again.