Shortstop

[Frayed Knot]

Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Tejada will be out of options until next season which will be his 5th as a professional.[/quote:qszqt9zx]

The 5th year in the majors doesn't end a player's option (well it might, but if so it would be a coincidence). Options dictate the time span during which a player can be sent down to the minors while having no say in the matter.
What the 5th year (or 4th depending on a player's age at signing) does signal is the time when he has to be permanently added to the 40-man roster or risk being lost via Rule 5 drafts and whatnot.



OE: So what this means in Tejeda's case is that the Mets are free to send him down not only this year but for several more as well.
It's just that he would need to be added to the 40 before making the club (I'm assuming he isn't already) almost a year before the Mets would HAVE to do so. IOW, if they KNOW it would only be temporary (big IF there) it's probably more trouble than it's worth, while if they think he's closer to ready and will probably be added sometime this season anyway than it's less of a big deal.

[bmfc1]

Tweets tonight say that the Mets are looking at Cristian Guzman as a temporary SS. The Nationals like Ian Desmond so a trade would solve a problem for them.

[ashie62]

Christian Guzman would be nice on opening day but I don't think Guzman will take kindly to sitting when Reyes returns.

[MFS62]

Christian Guzman would be nice on opening day but I don't think Guzman will take kindly to sitting when Reyes returns.[/quote:29t23uvy]
I knew he had hit a lot of triples in the baggie dome, but didn't realize he was pretty good all-around.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guzmacr01.shtml

Later

[nymr83]

I'd pass on Guzman, he'll be near useless when Reyes returns unless he can replace Cora, but he's never played any other position but SS so its hard to see him in a utility infield role.

[ashie62]

I'd pass on Guzman, he'll be near useless when Reyes returns unless he can replace Cora, but he's never played any other position but SS so its hard to see him in a utility infield role.[/quote:11hlsvde]

My take also..I'm for Tejada til Jose returns. If Jose has a setback Guzman shouldn't be too hard to get.

Guzman has lost some speed but is still pretty durable and did have seven triples last season and made the all-star team in 08

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Guzman had a .316 wOBA last year (league average being .335, with league average at short being somewhere in the low-to-mid .320s), has iffy-at-best on-base skills (without which his speed is useless) that are highly luck-dependent (he rises and falls with his BABIP), and will cost $8 million this year.

To review:

Guzman: $8M plus prospect(s)*
F. Lopez: $1M
A. Kennedy: $1.25M

*The reason Lopez and Kennedy weren't looked at (presumably)? Castillo's contract-- @ $6M-- is too much to eat... and Cora, whom this team is uncomfortable starting, was already on-board the first day of FA with a bigger deal than either of them got.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Seems to me if we did something like go get Guzman it'd be a concern only because this wouldn't be the kinda thing they'd do if Reyes was expected back quickly.

I think it goes without saying he'd come at next to nothing in terms of $$ or talent; he just might be cut loose.

[Ceetar]

Guzman had a .316 wOBA last year (league average being .335, with league average at short being somewhere in the low-to-mid .320s), has iffy-at-best on-base skills (without which his speed is useless) that are highly luck-dependent (he rises and falls with his BABIP), and will cost $8 million this year.

To review:

Guzman: $8M plus prospect(s)*
F. Lopez: $1M
A. Kennedy: $1.25M

*The reason Lopez and Kennedy weren't looked at (presumably)? Castillo's contract-- @ $6M-- is too much to eat... and Cora, whom this team is uncomfortable starting, was already on-board the first day of FA with a bigger deal than either of them got.

[Benjamin Grimm]

When is the next update on Reyes due?

[Ceetar]

When is the next update on Reyes due?[/quote:2gomz0g2]

Haven't heard any word anywhere about when his test is/was this week. I wonder if they'll even bother releasing weekly 'failures' or just wait until they get the all clear. Not that they can hide it. If Reyes doesn't show up in Florida over the weekend, he didn't pass.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Prediction: they'll get murdered if they release it, and murdered if they don't.

[Ceetar]

Prediction: they'll get murdered if they release it, and murdered if they don't.[/quote:1pal9q42]

Also murdered for 'how' they release it, with our one million PR directors telling us how they should've done it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

They should release it at 3 a.m., in Guam.

[Ceetar]

They should release it at 3 a.m., in Guam.[/quote:13vowb1a]


no no no, the Ajira plane that the Lost crew took/crashed was head to Guam! no more disasters!

[TransMonk]

Spring Stats (through 03/21/10):

Russ Adams: 17 AB, 8 H, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .471/.526/.765/1.291

Alex Cora: 26 AB, 8 H, 4 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, .308/.333/.385/.718

Ruben Tejada: 38 AB, 14 H, 7 R, 3 2B, 5 RBI, .368/.429/.447/.876

[Ceetar]

I would assume since we haven't seen Reyes should up in PSL, that his weekly test last week was a failure and it's not a given that he'll miss Opening Day?

Cora is going to be on the team anyway. So someone else has to be promoted either to start or backup. Not sure I have a favorite, and Jerry's "I'll ease Tejada into it" comment worried me.