The 24-year-old is currently projected to start at shortstop for the Mets.
After seven Metsfiled for arbitration yesterday, one has already settled with the team.
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The Mets and shortstop Ruben Tejadaagreed to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. The contract is worth $1.1 million, which, as MLB.com's Anthony DiComo points out, is more than double Tejada's 2013 salary of $514,701.
Tejada, once seen as the future Mets shortstop, disappointed greatly in 2013, hitting just .202/.259/.260 (48 wRC+) in 227 plate appearances, while playing middling defense.
At the beginning of the offseason, it seemed unlikely that Tejada would return as the Mets' starter at shortstop in 2014. However, after dealing with a small and expensive shortstop market, the Mets have warmed up to the idea of giving Tejada another shot. Barring the signing of Stephen Drew, Tejada looks to be the odds-on favorite to start at shortstop in 2014.
The Mets still have to settle the arbitration cases of Bobby Parnell, Lucas Duda, Daniel Murphy, Eric Young, Ike Davis, and Dillon Gee. On Friday, the Mets will exchange salary figures with the rest of their arbitration-eligible players. The Mets have not had an arbitration hearing with a player since Oliver Perez in 2008.
