The Mets have released shortstop Ruben Tejada. Tejada started last season as a utility player, eventually gaining the starting role for the Mets before gaining notoriety for breaking his leg at the hands (feet?) of Chase Utley. The move may prove fortuitous for the Cardinals who are in need of a replacement short stop with star Jhonny Peralta injured until at least the All-Star break.
Last season Tejada batted .261/.338/.350/.688 with 3 HR in 116 games.
Fan Interference 
I’m sure Tejada will have little difficulty latching on somewhere. I don’t know if he’ll get anywhere near his evacuated $3 million arbitration award, except perhaps on an incentive laden deal. In any event he’ll be back in the bigs in no time.
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Adding a player to your roster that NO TEAM is willing to pay $3M for….is not fortuitous.
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First off, it’s not that NO team wouldn’t pay him, it’s that the Mets wouldn’t pay him. Second, if you dont’ want him, you don’t get to complain about lack of production from the position. You need a replacement, one just became available, if you are too good for him, I’m sure he’ll be happy to play somewhere else. Most people would be thrilled to have a perfectly suitable replacement fall into their lap.
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He cleared waivers. Any team could have claimed him and all they had to do was assume his contract. EVERY TEAM PASSED.
He is a below average player. If the Cardinals are horrible at SS for 2 months, at most it’ll cost them 1 win. They already have guys that can be as “good” as he is.
He isn’t a “perfectly good replacement”. He’s not horrible, which is nice, but he would be at most a 1/2 win upgrade over what they could already play there and very well may be a down grade.
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The teams that passed on him on waivers were merely being prudent. If they claimed him they’d be committed to his full contract. Once he cleared waivers they could negotiate a less expensive contract with him. No big resonance there. He’s an adequate infielder, a perfectly able utility guy orf the bench. He’ll find work. Soon, too.
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Of course, the point is that no team is viewing him as a starting option, which would be a steal at $3M, not even teams that are not competitive this year.
As you note, he’s a perfectly cromulent utility player…but he’s pretty much the 25th guy on the roster.
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