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Shortstop

Russ Adams

2 votes

Alex Cora

6 votes

Ruben Tejada

12 votes

TransMonk Mar 12 2010 08:05 AM

Jose Reyes is going to be sidelined for what looks to be at least the month of April. There are 3 shortstops vying for his starting job this spring: 2009 Stats: Russ Adams (AAA): 207 AB, 59 H, 31 R, 14 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, .285/.343/.411/.754 Russ Adams (MLB): 20 AB, 4 H, 2 R, .200/.238/.200/.438 Alex Cora (MLB): 271 AB, 68 H, 31 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, .251/.320/.310/.630 Ruben Tejada (AA): 488 AB, 141 H, 59 R, 24 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 46 RBI, .289/.351/.381/.732 Spring Stats (through 03/11/10): Russ Adams: 10 AB, 6 H, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .600/.636/1.100/1.736 Alex Cora: 13 AB, 5 H, 2 R, 1 RBI, .385/.385/.385/.770 Ruben Tejada: 22 AB, 8 H, 5 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, .364/.440/.409/.849 This can be a "floating" poll, meaning you should change your vote if your opinion changes. I will keep the spring stats updated on business days throughout the spring. Defense needs to be included as well. Anyone who knows more about defensive stats can argue their merit and provide what they know about each players ability.

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 08:11 AM Re: Shortstop

It's hard to provide a meaningful vote, with so much left to shake out. There's certainly merit in calling up Tejada with him knowing that he doesn't have to keep the job. But he's 160 pounds.

TransMonk Mar 12 2010 08:14 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Edgy DC":1ob4rsdb]It's hard to provide a meaningful vote, with so much left to shake out.[/quote:1ob4rsdb] Like I said, with the new board's technology, your vote can change. I'm just asking what the gut of the forum says day by day or week by week. Obviously, the closer we get to opening day, the more meaningful the vote tally will be.

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 08:17 AM Re: Shortstop

I apparently lack guts, as I've areadly changed my vote twice. I wanted to try a little David Wright at short last year during Reyes' extended absence, and I kinda still do.

attgig Mar 12 2010 08:22 AM Re: Shortstop

there's no reason to rush tejada, and potentially screw up his development. he's what... 20 years old? Mets have been rushing all their prospects as it is... there's no reason to screw him up even more royally. oh, and like omar said, that's why he pays cora the 2mil.

TransMonk Mar 12 2010 08:23 AM Re: Shortstop

Edgy, you don't lack guts, maybe you're just a little nauseous?

Benjamin Grimm Mar 12 2010 08:25 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Edgy DC":36i6teke]I wanted to try a little David Wright at short last year during Reyes' extended absence, and I kinda still do.[/quote:36i6teke] Who would you put at third base in that scenario?

metirish Mar 12 2010 08:33 AM Re: Shortstop

Edgy always ruining other peoples polls.

attgig Mar 12 2010 08:41 AM Re: Shortstop

from espn tmi: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/tmi-mlb/post?id=760 BP: The Jose Reyes "solution" By Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus People love ripping on the New York Mets these days, and let's face it, in some ways they've earned it with back-to-back September swoons in 2007 and 2008, and a 2009 season that was arguably baseball's biggest nightmare of the decade. So far this spring, things are no better, and if anything, a little weirder. Now shortstop Jose Reyes, who had a miserable 2009 due to a recurring hamstring problem, has been diagnosed with a thyroid issue that will keep him off the baseball field for somewhere between two weeks and two months. That's a crazy big window thanks to a condition that's hard to predict, but even the Mets are making every indication that Reyes won't be at shortstop on Opening Day. And as the club learned last year, he's tough to replace. But there is a decent short-term answer, and it's not the one you think. The man who is supposed to fill in for Reyes is Alex Cora, a journeyman who hit .251/.320/.310 last year as Reyes' back-up. With that kind of line, it's only makes sense for the Mets to start considering other options. One name that is getting tossed around inside their offices is Ruben Tejada, the club's top shortstop prospect. Now the first reaction is to laugh this off as the worst idea ever (hey, it is the Mets), as we're talking about a 20 year-old who played at Double-A last year and while solid, didn't exactly light things up with a batting line of .289/.351/.381 for Binghamton. Thing is, giving Tejada the job, at least temporarily, might not be such a bad idea. When one thinks of a Latin American shortstop (Tejada is Panamanian), the expectation is a raw athlete oozing with tools -- but Tejada is the exact opposite. He has a near-zero chance of ever being a star, but at the same time, he's one of the most fundamentally sound 20-year-olds you'll ever see. He works the count, makes consistent contact (59 strikeouts in 553 plate appearances last year), and while his range at the position is merely average, he makes the plays on the balls he gets to. Strikeouts and out-of-control fielding are the things that usually spell doom for a rookie, but Tejada has both of those bases covered, so as long as Reyes is out, why not see what the young player can do? This wouldn't be another case of the Mets curbing the development of some high-ceiling prospect by rushing him to the majors; Tejada is pretty much all he's ever going to be right now, and he's certainly not going to be worse than Cora.

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 08:43 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":2jioprs7][quote="Edgy DC":2jioprs7]I wanted to try a little David Wright at short last year during Reyes' extended absence, and I kinda still do.[/quote:2jioprs7] Who would you put at third base in that scenario?[/quote:2jioprs7] Last year, it would have been Daniel Murphy. This year, maybe some combination of Murphy and Hessman. It would only be for a handful of games when the time is ripe and we'd like to get another bat in the lineup, but Mike Schmidt slid over to short when the Phillies needed him to, and George Brett covered for the Royals in a pinch. I think that the 24-hour screaming fan media has made managers less likely to try that sort of thing. I find little in the game more enjoyable.

TransMonk Mar 12 2010 08:45 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Kevin Goldstein":rjlxp8cs]...and he's certainly not going to be worse than Cora.[/quote:rjlxp8cs] This may be the best arguement for Tejada.

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 08:50 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="TransMonk":14r7f5ly][quote="Kevin Goldstein":14r7f5ly]...and he's certainly not going to be worse than Cora.[/quote:14r7f5ly] This may be the best arguement for Tejada.[/quote:14r7f5ly] But it's not necessarily true, nor even probably true. The guy spent all of 2008 in St. Lucie and went .229 / .293 / .296 // .588, so he's already taking some punches from being rushed. If he's in the mix, fine, bring him into the mix, but folks need to down that mix with a few calm-down cocktails.

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 08:53 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus"]...and a 2009 season that was arguably baseball's biggest nightmare of the decade.

Does BP have a new metric for measuring the size of nightmares?

attgig Mar 12 2010 08:59 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Edgy DC"][quote="Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus"]...and a 2009 season that was arguably baseball's biggest nightmare of the decade.

Does BP have a new metric for measuring the size of nightmares?

man, it was a pretty frickin big nightmare....one that i don't ever want to relive....

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 09:09 AM Re: Shortstop

I don't either, but my point is --- by stating that as a premise to an argument --- you can get people to buy an awful lot of snake oil. I realize nobody wants to get sidetracked into an argument about the 2003 Tigers, or the 2004 Diamondbacks or anything, but that's just weak. I know the freshest wound is the most troubling, but it's easily arguable that it wasn't even the worst Mets nightmare of the decade. BP writers should know better.

Ashie62 Mar 12 2010 09:13 AM Re: Shortstop

Tejada for Governor

MFS62 Mar 12 2010 09:19 AM Re: Shortstop

Looks like I'm the only one who has voted for Adams. Shocker, eh? A few years ago, Adams was the starting shortstop for the Blue Jays. Since then he has been injured. If healthy, and Tejada shows he needs more seasoning, I think Adams should start the season at short. I think he is better than A. Hernandez (not in the poll) and should make the team anyhow. BTW- who is this guy L. Hernandez who has played some games at short for the Mets this spring? And he's done it in games in which A. Hernndez has played, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't a misprint. I hope its not Livan trying for another comeback. Later

Edgy DC Mar 12 2010 09:23 AM Re: Shortstop

I've voted for all three.

TransMonk Mar 12 2010 09:25 AM Re: Shortstop

If there is clamoring to add either Hernandez to this poll I will. Personally, I don't see why anyone would choose an* Hernandez over any of the 3 choices above. *completely fruity NTTAWWT

MFS62 Mar 12 2010 09:48 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="TransMonk"]If there is clamoring to add either Hernandez to this poll I will. Personally, I don't see why anyone would choose an* Hernandez over any of the 3 choices above. *completely fruity NTTAWWT

Not clamoring.
B'sides, the question is who would we like to see start.
The prospect of seeing either Hernandez as the starting shortstop might scare wimmins' and chilluns.


Later

Ashie62 Mar 12 2010 09:52 AM Re: Shortstop

I didn't pick Russ. I didn't want anyone from the Adams Family to scare the women & children

smg58 Mar 12 2010 10:26 AM Re: Shortstop

It's a hard call. My instincts say don't rush Tejada, but the truth is he may already be better than Alex Cora.

Fman99 Mar 12 2010 10:29 AM Re: Shortstop

Can I pick "not Alex Cora"?

MFS62 Mar 12 2010 10:33 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Fman99":37hw3xmc]Can I pick "not Alex Cora"?[/quote:37hw3xmc] That's a surprise. I thought you were going to pick "Anybody but Alex Fucking Cora". Care to change your vote? Later

Nymr83 Mar 14 2010 08:36 PM Re: Shortstop

I prefer to try Tejada out if its more than a couple of weeks, but for less than that I'd go with Adams.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 14 2010 08:49 PM Re: Shortstop

I'm with Namor, moreorless-- Tejada if it looks like a month-plus (and I bet it will be so), Adams/Cora pu-pu platter if it's a lesser engagement.

TransMonk Mar 16 2010 08:04 AM Re: Shortstop

Spring Stats (through 03/14/10): Russ Adams: 12 AB, 6 H, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .500/.538/.917/1.455 Alex Cora: 17 AB, 6 H, 3 R, 1 RBI, .353/.389/.412/.801 Ruben Tejada: 28 AB, 10 H, 6 R, 1 2B, 4 RBI, .357/.419/.393/.812

metirish Mar 16 2010 08:10 AM Re: Shortstop

From Ken Davidoff in Newsday 4. Who are the injury fill-ins for Reyes and Carlos Beltran? Heyman reports that Tejada will likely join Davis at Buffalo. This would be a mistake, IMO. Tejada would provide at least steady glovework if he starts in the big leagues, and maybe he could even provide an offensive lift of some sort with his speed. Alex Cora won't embarrass the team most days; he just won't help it, either.

Chad Ochoseis Mar 16 2010 08:23 AM Re: Shortstop

For those of us who are too lazy to look up such things, how does bringing Tejada up to the bigs for a month (or possibly longer) affect his future options?

TransMonk Mar 16 2010 08:37 AM Re: Shortstop

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.

Frayed Knot Mar 16 2010 08:45 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="TransMonk":qszqt9zx]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 Mar 16 2010 08:24 PM Re: Shortstop

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 Mar 16 2010 08:58 PM Re: Shortstop

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

MFS62 Mar 16 2010 10:01 PM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Ashie62":29t23uvy]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/playe ... cr01.shtml Later

Nymr83 Mar 16 2010 10:59 PM Re: Shortstop

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 Mar 17 2010 04:31 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Nymr83":11hlsvde]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

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 17 2010 07:18 AM Re: Shortstop

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.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 17 2010 08:36 AM Re: Shortstop

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 Mar 17 2010 09:22 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="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.

Well, Castillo is better than both of them, and I don't think Lopez or Kennedy would've signed as a backup to start 20 games or so anyway. So that's pretty much moot.

Reyes having three more tests before Opening Day will have a big affect on the roster. If he's cleared and just needs some rehab time, then it's probably Cora-Adams type deal. If he hasn't been cleared yet, then I suspect you just get Tejada with Cora staying in his role of backup. (This also helps Cora not make his incentive 2011 deal)

Guzman doesn't seem like a great fit. I dunno though, there aren't exactly a ton of backup SSs there that are appreciably better than Cora in a limited stint..

Benjamin Grimm Mar 17 2010 09:27 AM Re: Shortstop

When is the next update on Reyes due?

Ceetar Mar 17 2010 09:34 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":2gomz0g2]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.

Edgy DC Mar 17 2010 09:37 AM Re: Shortstop

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

Ceetar Mar 17 2010 09:44 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Edgy DC":1pal9q42]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 Mar 17 2010 10:04 AM Re: Shortstop

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

Ceetar Mar 17 2010 10:26 AM Re: Shortstop

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":13vowb1a]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 Mar 22 2010 09:29 AM Re: Shortstop

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 Mar 22 2010 09:34 AM Re: Shortstop

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.