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Free-agent Miguel Tejada led the NL with 46 doubles in 2009, but his declining defensive skills and the possibility of moving to third base has chased away a few potential suitors -- yet the Astros and Cardinals may be in the hunt for his services. (AP Photo)
Houston Astros free-agent shortstop Miguel Tejada continues to be an ongoing topic of conversation among a handful of general managers looking to upgrade their left side of the infield for the 2010 season.
Although Tejada's a Type A free agent, sources indicate the Astros will not offer him arbitration on Dec. 1, meaning the signing team won't have to surrender any draft picks to Houston.
With the Astros looking to trim payroll, owner Drayton McLane Jr. doesn't want to overpay for Tejada, meaning he would rather attempt to re-sign him on the open market at a reduced rate.
Lets clarify one thing -- the Astros want Tejada, but face the challenge of working with a smaller payroll expected to be in the low $90 million-range next season as opposed to $107 million in 2009.
Is it possible for the Astros to re-sign Tejada at a discount?
The Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Astros have all been rumored to be interested in signing Tejada.
Doors closing on Tejada
However, within the last 48 hours, the market on Tejada appears to be shrinking.
According to sources, the Blue Jays, Red Sox, A's and Phillies may be looking in another direction rather than focusing on Tejada to fill their void at shortstop or third base.
Free-agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to Boston on Aug. 14, agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thanksgiving Day -- the day after Toronto re-signed backup shortstop John McDonald to a two-year, $3 million contract.
The signing of Gonzalez assures that Toronto free-agent shortstop Marco Scutaro, considered the best on the market at his respective position, will likely depart via free agency, despite the possibility of being offered arbitration by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Since Scutaro ranks as a Type A free agent, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos wants to net draft picks as compensation from the team who ultimately signs the 34-year-old standout shortstop.
Who will that team be?
Scutaro told MLB.com Saturday that the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and Rangers have called to express interest in his services. He further indicated that the Dodgers want him to play second, but the Red Sox want him at shortstop.
Now that Gonzalez departed Boston for Toronto, it's believed that the Red Sox will pursue Scuatro, as opposed to Tejada, to fill their shortstop need.
Although Tejada's swing correlates perfectly with the Green Monster at Fenway Park, general manager Theo Epstein would rather pursue the better defensive player in Scutaro, who managed to hit .280 with 12 homers and 60 RBI in 2009 for the Blue Jays.
Recently, Oakland general manager Billy Beane dismissed rumors that his team intends to pursue free agents with available payroll, but rather explore the trade market to fill any openings.
In regard to the Phillies, they already have All-Star Jimmy Rollins at shortstop, so the organization would be interested in Tejada as a third baseman.
Shortstop to third closes more doors
This becomes an issue for Tejada.
It's a weak market for shortstops this offseason, yet teams looking to upgrade at third base have plenty of attractive options, such as Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa.
Basically, Tejada ranks as the fourth best option at third behind Figgins, Beltre and DeRosa.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., already stated he prefers Beltre or DeRosa over Tejada, citing that the 2002 AL MVP has no experience fielding the position, which ultimately scares interested teams.
That leaves the Giants, Rangers, Orioles, Cardinals and Astros.
San Francisco needs to upgrade its offensive production, but at the same time, they currently have five-time All-Star Edgar Renteria at shortstop and up-and-coming star Pablo Sandoval at third.
Unless the Giants can find any takers for Renteria's $10.5 million salary in 2010, it appears they're stuck with the 34-year-old veteran for at least one more season.
Just like San Francisco, the Rangers appear set on the left side of their infield, with six-time All-Star Michael Young, who's signed through the 2013 season, at third, and 21-year-old AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Elvis Andrus at shortstop.
Don't expect the Rangers to pursue Tejada simply as a DH, considering they reportedly have interest in signing eight-time All-Star and 2004 AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero to fill that role.
Do you think Tejada wants to return to Baltimore?
Orioles president Andy MacPhail told ESPN.com's Buster Olney on Thanksgiving that he wants to mix free agents with the organization's promising young talent for the 2010 season.
With Baltimore facing uncertainty at third base, MacPhail may be interested in reuniting with Tejada.
Remember, the Orioles traded Tejada to Houston in exchange for Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate on Dec. 12, 2007 -- one day prior to Tejada being named in the infamous Mitchell Report.
During his four-year tenure in Baltimore, Tejada often expressed his displeasure toward the direction of the organization, and reportedly asked to be traded after the 2005 season.
Plus, his history with retired former superstar Rafael Palmeiro forced Tejada to plead guilty to one count of perjury on Feb. 11 for lying to Congress based on his testimony in 2005 on whether or not Palmeiro lied about using steroids.
Despite all the controversy, Tejada somehow didn't burn any bridges with the Orioles front office, but realistically, don't expect him to end up back in Baltimore, especially after everything that has happened in the past.
Cards make sense
Now, we're down to two possible teams -- the Cardinals and Astros.
At this point, it appears St. Louis will be McLane, Ed Wade and Tal Smith's major competition for Tejada.
After winning the NL Central, the Cardinals folded in the NLDS against the Dodgers, and face several questions this offseason regarding their own free agents, especially Matt Holliday, DeRosa, Rick Ankiel and Joel Pineiro.
One thing's for sure -- the Cardinals possess exceptional starting pitching with ace Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, as well as a solid lineup featuring three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols.
Still, the left side of the infield remains a question mark if the Cardinals fail to re-sign DeRosa.
St. Louis expects to say goodbye to free-agent shortstop Khalil Greene and often-injured third baseman Troy Glaus. Also, the Cardinals may not feel comfortable with Brendan Ryan or Julio Lugo as their everyday shortstop, or even top-notch prospect David Freese at third base.
This could potentially open up a spot on the left side -- further increasing the possibility that Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak pursues Tejada.
According to a source, the Cardinals want to re-sign DeRosa, but would prefer Tejada over Beltre, and don't intend to pursue Figgins.
Remember, the 2010 season could be the last for Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, who may retire after agreeing to a one-year contract on Oct. 26 to return for his 15th season at the helm with the Redbirds.
Tejada can add a quality bat to LaRussa's lineup for a manager seeking one final NL Central title and postseason appearance. Also, it was rumored back in June that St. Louis was interested in trading for Tejada, but that ended up falling through.
With Baltimore, Boston, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Texas and Toronto likely out of the picture, McLane, Wade and Smith could capitalize on a decreasing market for Tejada and re-sign him at a cheaper salary.
It's unclear how much St. Louis can offer, but one can speculate that the Astros biggest competition for Tejada will be their divisional rival. In the end, it comes down to money, and McLane won't get in a bidding war with another team.
Does that mean Tejada will be wearing a Cardinals uniform in 2010?
Don't rule it out as a possibility.
Tejada an Astro in 2010?
Then again, the Astros technically have prospects Tommy Manzella and Chris Johnson penciled in as the starters at shortstop and third base for the 2010 season.
It appears that Wade and Astros manager Brad Mills have given the vote of confidence to Manzella, but not so much toward Johnson. At this point, Johnson continues to be a work-in-progress, and may need to spend the first half of the 2010 season at Triple-A Round Rock.
Infielder Jeff Keppinger remains a possibility at third, as well as 36-year-old veteran Geoff Blum, who re-signed with Houston Oct. 30.
Wade could sign Tejada to initially be the Astros' starting third baseman, then decide to deal him leading up to the July trade deadline in order to recall Johnson to finish out the second half of the season.
Plus, if Manzella doesn't work out, Mills would have the flexibility of sliding Tejada back to shortstop and go with either Blum, Keppinger or Johnson at third.
Re-signing Tejada makes sense and creates options on the left side of the infield for the Astros -- something they desperately need.
Ultimately, based on Tejada's potential options, McLane and Wade could end up finding a way to squeeze him into their reduced payroll at a discount.
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