The team and shortstop have made a deal to avoid arbitration.
The Mets and Ruben Tejada have reached a deal to avoid arbitration. Adam Rubin is reporting that Tejada will make $1.88 million in 2015 after a disappointing 2014 that saw the shortstop hit .237/.342/.310 in 419 plate appearances. Although manager Terry Collins drew ire from fans for sticking with Tejada for so many at-bats, Wilmer Flores took over as the regular shortstop in September.
Even with a miserable slugging percentage, Tejada's 12-percent walk rate and solid defense allowed him to post 1.2 fWAR in 2014. He's considered the backup shortstop heading into this year's campaign, but Tejada remains the best defensive infielder on the roster. If Flores struggles at the start of the season, we could see a lot of Tejada in 2015.
Compared to the $1.1 million he earned last year, this new deal isn't a major increase, and it's just a little bit more than Tejada was projected to earn in arbitration. Hopefully he'll earn every penny or Flores will be so awesome that we'll never see him at all.