Tejada creating interest on the market

November 26, 9:25 AMHouston Astros ExaminerStephen Goff

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Shortstop Miguel Tejada continues to draw preliminary interest on the free-agent market from several teams, but most will wait and see whether the Houston Astros decide to offer the Type A free agent arbitration by Dec. 1. (AP Photo)

Veteran shortstop Miguel Tejada hits the free-agent market this offseason with plenty of options, despite his diminishing defensive skills, power numbers, as well as entering the twilight of his career.

As a Type A free agent, several teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals, have expressed interest in pursuing the six-time All-Star -- especially if the Houston Astros decide not to offer him arbitration by Dec. 1.

Despite the Toronto Blue Jays decision to re-sign backup shortstop John McDonald on Wednesday to a two-year, $3 million deal, general manager Alex Anthopoulos informed MLB.com of his intent to pursue a starting shortstop as a short-term solution. 

With Marco Scutaro possibly on his way out of Toronto, Anthopoulos may turn his attention toward either signing Tejada, Alex Gonzalez or Orlando Cabrera -- hoping to get a deal done soon. 

In 2009, Tejada led the NL with 46 doubles while ranking second in hits (199) and eighth in batting average (.313). He only drilled 14 homers and grounded into more double plays (29) than any other major leaguer for the second straight year, yet managed to record 86 RBI.

Although the Blue Jays' lineup doesn't feature household names, Tejada could add another dimension to an existing core of All-Star second baseman Aaron Hill, Silver Slugger Award winning outfielder Adam Lind and two-time All-Star Vernon Wells.

Toronto ranked sixth in the AL in batting average (.266), runs (798) and fifth in slugging percentage (.440) -- with Hill and Lind combining for 71 homers and 222 RBI. 

In addition to Tejada's bat, he played in 158 games in 2009 -- exactly what Anthopoulos wants from his starting shortstop in 2010. Plus, he can occasionally fill the DH role on nights in which McDonald gets the starting nod.

There's a slim possibility that Houston may re-sign Tejada and move him to third base in 2010, but with owner Drayton McLane Jr. looking to trim payroll from $107 million to somewhere in the low $90-million range, the organization likely won't offer the 2002 AL MVP arbitration.

Realistically, the Astros aren't in position to make a solid offer to Tejada, making him an attractive free agent to teams such as the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Cardinals and even the Baltimore Orioles, who traded the aging shortstop to Houston Dec. 12, 2007 in exchange for Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate.

According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, Baltimore has an abundance of young talent, but still faces uncertainty at the corner infield positions in 2010. Orioles president Andy MacPhail wants to blend free agents with his young core, and could be interested in reuniting with Tejada, as long as he's willing to move to third.

Ultimately, several potential options exist for Tejada this offseason.

For right now, interested teams will simply wait and see if the Astros offer him arbitration before making any decisions.