Baltimore Orioles acquire Ruben Tejada from New York Yankees for cash
By Ben Palmer
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired infielder Ruben Tejada from the New York Yankees for cash considerations. Tejada’s last time in the majors was 2016.
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired infielder Ruben Tejada from the New York Yankees for cash considerations. The last time Tejada was in the major leagues was 2016 when he played 36 games for the San Francisco Giants and the Yankees.
Tejada is 27-years-old, but you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s older, as he’s been in the league for quite some time. He signed as an international free agent with the New York Mets in 2007 at the age of 17 and made his major league debut in 2010 at the age of 20.
While in the minors, Tejada flashed a plus glove and some good speed with good contact, but only the glove translated in the majors. He’s been a decent on-base guy throughout his major league career as he’s had a solid walk rate just about every year, but the most stolen bases he’s ever had in a single season was five in 2011 through 96 games with the Mets.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- What other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?
- Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the Stretch
- Baltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent Wins
- The Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September Roster
- Orioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut
Tejada has just never really been able to put it together in the majors, batting a career .249/.320/.345 with no power to speak of and seasons with averages below the Mendoza line.
In fact, perhaps his worst season of his major league career was the last time he was in the majors in 2016. Through 36 games, he batted .167/.247/.242 with zero home runs, nine runs and five RBIs.
Tejada has always been a solid defender, however, and that fact has likely been what’s kept him in the major leagues in general. So far this year in the New York Yankees triple-A affiliate, Tejada has been hitting .269/.345/.462 with six home runs, 22 runs, and 21 RBIs.
Next: Analyzing Alec Asher's Start Against the Red Sox
What the Baltimore Orioles intend on doing with him remains to be seen. The team isn’t exactly in need of a light-hitting infielder, but having a plus defender in the reserves can be useful. Tejada has played second base, third base, and shortstop, so he could also be used as an infield utility man, if the Orioles even elect to have him in the majors, which I would bet is unlikely, as this appears to be a depth move more than anything.