Why not Tejada?

by indakind on Nov 7, 2007 1:29 PM EST Comment 22 comments

I think that the Cards should pursue Miguel Tejada to fill the anticipated SS vacancy.

The pros:

Only has two (2) years remaining on his contract. Contract would come off the books after 2009.
Owed "only" 13mil/year for those years. This is not big money for his offensive production. Yes he is not quite the hitter he was a few years ago but he is a definite upgrade to the Cards lineup and he might rebound with a chance to contend.
He is a defensive upgrade. While it is clear that Tejada's range is diminishing, he is an upgrade over Eckstein.
Probably would not take a ton to get him. I'm thinking Haerther, Hamilton and two minor league relievers (O's desperately need bullpen help).

The Cons:

Range on defense diminishing. Clearly Tejada would be better served to move to third base but with Rolen that ain't happening. On the other hand, Rolen's glove at third reduces Tejada's range deficiency.
13mil/year is still alot of money. No doubt but the SS hole is closed for two years and the Cards can wait and see on Ryan and Jose Martinez to see if either can fill the hole long term.
Another older player who could get hurt. While true, Tejada has been amazingly healthy throughout his career. Furthermore, it is not like the Cards have an abundance of MI prospects.

I think this makes the most sense of anything the Cards could do with the SS position. The team really needs another impact RH hitter and Tejada fills that bill in the one obvious open spot on the roster. Kennedy can leadoff and Tejada can hit 4-6 depending on the pitcher and how well Rolen and Jimmy are hitting.

Anyway I'm sure y'all will let me know if I am being crazy.

Go Cards! Forgot to add links: Contract: http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/baltimore-orioles_112321768568552760.html Stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tejadmi01.shtml

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Let's try the links again...

Contract:

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/baltimore-orioles_112321768568552760.html

Stats:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tejadmi01.shtml

by indakind on Nov 7, 2007 1:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

There is a Tejada diary

just 9 diaries down.

"Well, you wait for a strike. Then you knock the shit out of it. - Musial to Flood on how to hit a curveball

by Hardcore Legend on Nov 7, 2007 1:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oops sorry...

Didn't notice the other diary.

by indakind on Nov 7, 2007 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

OBP

Looking at the numbers, Tejada's career OBP is actually lower than Eckstein's. He does bring about 100 points in ISOP (which may diminish as he gets older), and he never gets hurt. Even if it doesn't cost us much in terms of talent, I'm not sure that the marginal benefit justifies tying up $13M a year for the next couple years, especially if that takes away from what we need to spend on starting pitching, which would seem to be our biggest weakness at this point.

OTOH, If taking on that contract doesn't mean less money to spend elsewhere, then by all means I think it's a good idea. Tejada did have the 3rd highest OPS among AL SS, even with the wrist injury. Plugging in his injury-depressed .799 OPS would move Cards' SS from 11th to 5th among NL SS.

If my math is correct, Tejada's numbers from last year come out to 78.9 Runs Created, in a shortened season. Figuring him in for 162 games converts that to 96 Runs Created. All Cards' shortstops in 2007 accounted for 80.3 Runs Created. So, the difference comes out to only about a win and a half. Is that worth $13M a year?

by CardFaninVA on Nov 7, 2007 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

a Jocketty move

I was just wondering what you guys/girls think about Mark Loretta. I think he could come on the cheap, he can play a decent ss and he could possibly hit leadoff. Also, IF he is cheap, he can be used as a infield sub a la Speez if Ryan shows he is capable of being an everyday player. He is a FA so he could be had.

Cards fan banished to NH

by t7rick on Nov 7, 2007 1:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like the Tejada idea

better than the alternatives. If the goal of the organization is to remain competitive while building the farm system, then a Tejada deal that doesn't involve Duncan, Ankeil, or Anderson is the way to go. If the O's need bullpen help, we can do that. Trade from your strengths.

by SethWestern on Nov 7, 2007 3:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nah

13m for two years, along with the fact that we'd be dealing prospects (I don't think we'd get away with not trading ONE of the top prospects or MLB ready players).

It also doesn't help us get younger. Tejada is on major decline, has been tied to steroid allegations (which could explain his rapidly falling production) and while he was an ironman for several seasons, that hasn't been the case the last couple of years.

I would rather see us either plug in Ryan or attempt to trade for a relatively cheap and young player who could fill in, like a Chone Figgins, who has played very little SS, but has played enough all over the diamond that I personally believe he could do it.

There are other options too, most of which I like better than tying ourselves to Miggy Tejada.

Although--this is a good place for a funny story.
My wife had a Spanish professor when she was in college who at one point worked with baseball players in, I believe, the Dominican(is that where Tejada's from?).

Tejada was in fact one of the players he worked with, to teach him limited English. To make sure he could get food, he found out Tejada liked ham, so he taught him how to say "ham sandwich."

Tejada goes from restaurant to restaurant, ordering nothing but ham sandwiches.

Finally he got sick of it, and explained the situation to the professor, who then taught him to say "chicken" to give him some variety.

The next restaurant, when asked to order, Tejada proudly ordered "chicken."

The waiter asks: "How would you like that cooked?"

To which Tejada looked around nervously and then responded: "ham sandwich."

by mtalken on Nov 7, 2007 4:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Iron man

He didn't miss a game from 2000 until June 2007, and the only reason he missed games last year was that he got beaned and broke his wrist. The guy plays everyday and is definitely not a health risk.

I'd also take issue with the idea of "rapidly declining production." His 2007 wasn't spectacular (OPS + 109), but 2004-06 he was at 131, 128, and 126. That's pretty consistent, and a lot better than most of his years in Oakland. Yes, he's 31, but I think there's a pretty good chance he bounces back, especially if you get him out of Baltimore.

As I said above, if it doesn't cost much in terms of prospects, and it doesn't foreclose putting money into the rotation, I think it'd be a good move to go get this guy.

by CardFaninVA on Nov 7, 2007 8:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

While I hate to bring it up

you still have to be cautious of the HGH and steroid probes. Raffy already tossed around his name, and while he may or may not be a part of all the drama, I believe you still have to be on your toes.

On a side note, can all the crap about HGH and steriods end now?? Ugh, just annoying....

by joecardsfan on Nov 7, 2007 4:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It is an issue

but the Cards essentially have one place on the field to upgrade the offense and no one out there is going to upgrade it more than Tejada. Furthermore, it is only a two year commitment and he's not really blocking any prospects.

by indakind on Nov 7, 2007 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, other than the accusations

I'm all for getting him. I am just stating that the team will have to weigh those "rumors" in their decision...if they decide to pursue him.

by joecardsfan on Nov 7, 2007 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why are so many people obsessed with

keeping Anderson? Don't get me wrong, he has the potential to be Joe Mauer Light, but I have 1 thing to say: Yadi. What could you possibly do with him when gets the call? Let's see:

1B- I'm not even going to say anything about this

2B/SS- Plenty of competition as it is by the time he will be up: aKen, Miles, Ryan, Hoffpair(sp?), FA/Trade this offseason

3B- Rolen would be here probably for the 1st 2 years or so of his career

C- Yadi

P- Another no-brainer

LF- Duncan, unless traded

RF- Ankiel, unless traded/blows up again

CF- Rasmus

IMO, I think that he is our best trading chip. I'm not saying that we should go out & trade him for a mediocre player, but if the right deal were to come along, he would be our best chip.

trade for miggy & the d-train!

by dunc4life on Nov 7, 2007 5:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

why couldn't you trade Yadi?

If he's as awesome as everyone makes him out to be then he should be just as tradeable, right? I hope that's a decision that we're forced to make: keep an excellent offensive/average defensive catcher or an average offensive/excellent defensive catcher.

by azruavatar on Nov 7, 2007 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Yadi is far from untouchable in my book. While I love his defense, Anderson's bat would look good in the lineup provided he gets a handle on the passed balls (sorry for the pun).

From what I've heard Anderson possesses an above average arm so it's not like teams would just run all over him.

Also, having a +bat at the catcher position is usually a leg up on the competition b/c so few teams possess a +bat catcher.

by indakind on Nov 7, 2007 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because Yadi's Yadi

I'm w/ you. The idea of moving Anderson to another position makes no sense at all. His bat plays well as a C and wouldn't play that well elsewhere. Yadi's going to get more expensive and his bat likely won't get much better. When Anderson's ready, he'll be at least as good as Yadi, b/c of his offensive proficiency, and much cheaper. The idea of keeping Yadi and trading Anderson won't make any sense unless Anderson could bring substantially more in trade -- doubtful considering everyone's profession of Yadi's defensive skills.

If Yadi becomes more of an offensive force, that changes the equation, of course. But if he remains a 6 HR hitter w/ an OBP in the low .300's, he'll be passed quickly by Anderson.

by chuckb on Nov 7, 2007 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I actually disagree about Yadi's bat

When he's not been half-injured, his offense has improved steadily across the board, and he had a 100 point OPS split from the first half to the second half last year. If he can keep his second half OPS of .750 or so, then his glove makes him a pretty valuable player. If he can improve further, he becomes a pretty great player.

by Valatan on Nov 7, 2007 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's not go overboard....

I see nothing to suggest that he could put up a .750 OPS over the course of a full season.

Here are his major league OPS totals.
.683
.653
.595
.705 (boosted by a second half where he sported a near .380 BABIP) not sustainable

Not to mention, he is the slowest player in baseball and when he does slap a few singles here and there he clogs the baseball.

He's a really poor offensive player no matter how you slice it.

Now, that doesn't mean that I wouldn't be open to trading Anderson in the right deal. I think Molina may be the player to move though, as his perceived value is much higher than his actual value.

"I'm hungry. Not for food. Just for baseball" Amaury Cazana Marti

by bobbyballgame1 on Nov 7, 2007 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He did hit better in the 2nd half

but I don't agree that his poor first half resulted from injury. He broke his hand or wrist on a foul ball behind the plate. He was healthy until that happened.

Yadi's young and it's entirely possible that his 2nd half is a sign that he's beginning to figure it out. If he becomes a .750 OPS hitter, he does become a much more valuable asset than he is as a .700 OPS hitter. But he's going to have to pick it up offensively to justify the Cards keeping him and trading Anderson. The difference in salary will be so great in a year or 2 that, even if they are equal, Anderson becomes the much better option.

by chuckb on Nov 7, 2007 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yadi

a trading chip second only to Rasmus. IMHO he is worth more than Duncan.

A young cather who's has upside on offense, and what a fantastic post season he had in '06.

Anderson is a year away. So if Molina was offered in a package for Miggy the Cards need to sign a catcher for one year.

by nybirdfan on Nov 7, 2007 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good read from Baltimore on Tejada

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.tejada07nov07,0,7074657.story

Watching the Playoffs as Reigning Champs is not a bad thing.

by Birds on the Bat on Nov 7, 2007 6:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Read this earlier

I read this earlier and it was what prompted this diary. The less interest the better. I really think Tejada could add alot to this team. Furthermore I think the move to a contending team would re-energize Miggy and get him back to his .500+ slugging percentage days.

by indakind on Nov 7, 2007 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

remember when the stros

almost got him last year? they were giving up roy oswlat & lidge & getting tejada & the O's right fielder in exchange.

the Cards cant afford to match a deal like this. & it's probably going to take that kind of talent to get him.
peter angleos takes his time with trades & wont give up tejada without getting top dollar for him.

nice dream, & i'd love to get him because i think he'd be really successful as a Cardinal.
& he'd love to hit in front of or right behind Albert. but it will never happen.

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Nov 7, 2007 11:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs