[adinserter block=”1″]It’s never good for a starter to suffer a serious injury, but things have gone just about perfectly for the St. Louis Cardinals in the wake of Jhonny Peralta’s thumb injury, which could cost him a few months.
Almost immediately after he was hurt, the Mets decided to cut loose shortstop Ruben Tejada to save some money. At the same time, everyone who was paying attention at all said, “Oh, bet he winds up with the Cardinals.”
Sure enough:
Hearing #stlcards are nearing deal with SS Ruben Tejada. It's likely to be completed today.
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) March 19, 2016
#STLCards agreement with Ruben Tejada would be a Major League deal. Club has obviously been looking for shortstop depth since Peralta injury
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) March 19, 2016
Tejada, 26, has seen a decline in his peripherals over the past few years, but he can still provide a nearly league-average bat at shortstop, which can be quite valuable – especially to a team that was otherwise scrambling to figure out who would fill in.
[adinserter block=”2″]There’s a legitimate chance that Tejada posts league average offensive numbers, plays above average defense, and is a very valuable player for the Cardinals.
He hasn’t quite been that guy the last few years with the Mets, however, despite plenty of hope. The most likely scenario here is that he plays as a slightly above replacement-level player for the first two months of the season, and is replaced by a healthy Peralta, whenever he’s ready.
All in all, this is going to be a good move for the Cardinals, even if it’s a move they probably still wish they hadn’t had to make.
UPDATE: It’s happening:
Ruben Tejada's one-year deal is worth $1.5 million. Contract does not include performance or appearance incentives. #STLCards
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) March 19, 2016