New York Mets Place Ruben Tejada on Waivers

The New York Mets made a surprising move on Tuesday, placing backup shortstop Ruben Tejada on waivers.

The New York Mets decided on Tuesday to place backup middle infielder, Ruben Tejada, on waivers according to ESPN. The move comes at a strange time as Tejada is playing well early in spring training, collecting five RBI on five hits. Also, the team will likely have their new shortstop, Asdrubal Cabrera, start the season on the disabled list.

Ultimately, the Mets likely made the move to save themselves from paying Tejada his $3 million salary. If they cut the 26-year-old before opening day, they are only on the hook for one-sixth of his salary, or $500,000; they would recoup the remaining $2.5 million.

Tejada became somewhat of a fan favorite after the controversial slide into second by Chase Utley in the playoffs. The aggressiveness of the slide broke Tejada’s leg, and kept him out for the rest of the postseason. He has come back into 2016 looking healthy, but it doesn’t look like he will be in a Mets uniform.

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Thoughts

As strange as the move may seem, it does make some sense. Given the unexpected return of Yoenis Cespedes, and signing Alejandro De Aza to a nearly $6 million deal as the fifth outfielder, it’s no shock that the front office would look to cut ties with players they see as overpaid. And Tejada was overpaid for the third shortstop on the roster.

Having played in Flushing for six seasons, Tejada only compiled a 4.1 total WAR. Just last year, he finished with a -0.1. Sandy Alderson saw him as replaceable, and there is certainly a list of guys who can take on the role of backup infielder, none of which are set to make $3 million. Wilmer Flores is first in line to get looks at the left side of the infield, but in a worst case scenario, Matt Reynolds, Gavin Cecchini, T.J. Rivera, and Eric Campbell are all guys we could see playing shortstop or third base at different times in 2016.

Aside from saving money, this move could get trade talks with the Cardinals going. Shortstop Jhonny Peralta is starting the season on the disabled list, and will be out for at least the first two months for St. Louis. The Mets have not been the only team rumored to be in talks with the Cardinals, as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the division rival Atlanta Braves also have expendable infielders.

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While the Cabrera injury seemed to assure Tejada a spot on the roster, the cons to keeping him outweighed the pros, and he will now be with a new team in 2016.

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