Astros not committed to Tejada at shortstop

November 7, 2:09 AMHouston Astros ExaminerStephen Goff

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Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada, who just finished a six-year, $72 million contract, was among one of the big-name players in Major League Baseball to file for free agency Friday. (AP Photo)

Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada joined setup man LaTroy Hawkins and veteran reserve infielder Aaron Boone Friday by filing for free agency, according to MLB.com.

Tejada, Pedro Martinez, Brett Myers, Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero were among the standout names out of the 39 MLB players to declare free agency Friday.

Since the start of the 15-day filing period Thursday, Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey and Guerrero head the list of the 118 total players to file.

On Thursday, Astros outfielders Darin Erstad and Jason Michaels, as well as left-hander Mike Hampton became the first three out of the eight eligible Houston players to hit the free-agent market.

With Tejada, Hawkins and Boone joining Erstad, Michaels and Hampton, only closer Jose Valverde and setup man Doug Brocail, whose 2010 option was decline, represent the two remaining Astros players eligible to file.

While the Astros intend to say goodbye to Erstad and Hampton, rumors have surfaced over the past month that Boone, who underwent open-heart surgery in March, may elect to retire.

Boone, 36, made a triumphant return to the field Sept. 2 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, but went hitless in 13 at-bats this season. If Boone decides on retirement, the 2003 ALCS hero as a member of the New York Yankees would conclude his 12-year career hitting .263 with 126 homers and 555 RBI over 1,152 games.

Whether Boone retires or not, the Astros have no intent of re-signing him.

In regard to Tejada and Hawkins, both players hit the market as a Type A free agent, meaning if either player gets offered arbitration and declines, the signing team would have to surrender their top draft pick to the Astros in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, unless that pick is in the top 15.

In that case, the signing team must give Houston its second-round pick.

Furthermore, the Astros would automatically receive a first-round supplemental pick in addition to the signing team's high pick.

Before deciding on Tejada and Hawkins' fate in Houston, owner Drayton McLane, Jr., and general manager Ed Wade must determine their interest level in both players. 

Although it's been reported that McLane and Wade want to retain both Tejada and Hawkins, the 35-year old Tejada, who led the team with a .313 batting average, 199 hits and 46 doubles, must take a significant pay cut after receiving $14.8 million this season in the final year of his six-year, $72 million deal. 

The 36-year-old Hawkins earned $3.5 million in 2009.

With Valverde's status unclear, Wade wants to re-sign Hawkins after he posted a 1-4 record with a 2.13 ERA and 11 saves over 65 appearances this season. Since being acquired by the Astros on July 30, 2008, Hawkins has been a reliable asset to the bullpen. 

"We would love to have LaTroy back with us," Wade told Fox 26 Sports in Houston on Friday. "Ever since we made the trade with the New York (Yankees) two Julys ago it was really a great fit for us."

Larry Reynolds, Hawkins' long-time friend and agent, confirmed over the phone Friday that he's been in contact with Wade and the Astros. If Houston can't reach a deal with Hawkins during the first 15 days of the filing period, they'll likely offer him arbitration.

"Hawkins is testing the market and following procedure," Reynolds said. "He wants to see what teams think of him, but he does like it in Houston."

If he were to reject arbitration, the Type A label may hurt his value on the free-agent market, since teams might be reluctant to give up its top draft pick to the Astros for a short-term solution in Hawkins. 

Realistically, Hawkins would probably accept arbitration, but Houston remains optimistic of being able to re-sign him. 

Tejada represents the toughest decision for Wade.

On Friday, Wade informed MLB.com of the organization's commitment toward prospect Tommy Manzella at shortstop for the 2010 season. If Tejada wants to return to Houston, he'll have to shift to third base -- a move he's prepared to make. 

"If we have an interest in Miggy, it's probably in the third base context at this point of his career," Wade added.

In June, Tejada told me he loves playing for Houston and wants to stay.

However, it's going to come down to money, and how much of a pay cut he's willing to accept. He no longer commands a high salary no matter who signs him. Tejada recognizes he's in the twilight of his career, and can't generate the power numbers he once did with the Oakland A's and Baltimore Orioles.

This season, the 2002 AL MVP led the majors by grounding into 29 double plays and only cracked 14 homers. At this point, Tejada has become more of a contact hitter capable of hitting .300, but can't be called upon to be a power hitter.

In a way, he's gone from being an prototypical middle-of-the-order hitter to an ideal No. 2 batter in a lineup.

Despite his diminishing defensive skills and power numbers, several teams will likely be interested in signing Tejada, as long as the Astros don't offer him arbitration. Like Hawkins, if Tejada's offered arbitration and declines, he'll find it difficult to sign with another club, since the signing team may hesitate to give the Astros a high draft pick. 

With the Astros possibly leaning toward not offering Tejada arbitration, the signing team won't have to surrender any draft picks, which makes Tejada a more attractive free agent. Among the possible destinations for Tejada include the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein knows Tejada could be a double machine at Fenway Park by utilizing the Green Monster -- plus he can DH -- while St. Louis announced their interest in possibly trading for Tejada back in June. 

The Cardinals are weak on the left side of the infield, and Tejada could be a valuable addition to manager Tony LaRussa.

By stating the Astros intent to go with Manzella at shortstop in 2010, one can read between the lines that Wade's hinting the end of Tejada in Houston. With the re-signing of Geoff Blum, who started at third base for the Astros this season, and prospect Chris Johnson ready for big league action, Tejada may find himself the odd man out.

Wade knows that not re-signing Tejada gives the Astros more flexibility to re-sign Valverde, who made $8 million in 2009, and help in giving the necessary raises to Michael Bourn, Hunter Pence and Wandy Rodriguez -- each eligible for arbitration.

In the end, the decision falls on McLane and Wade.