St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Mets’ Ruben Tejada Drawing Interest

The St. Louis Cardinals’ are down a shortstop and the New York Mets have excess at the position, making a trade an option.

According to ESPN’s Adam Rubin, the St. Louis Cardinals are interested in acquiring Ruben Tejada from the New York Mets. The Mets are reportedly seeking a package of players for Tejada, which makes sense especially when trading with a team in need like the Cardinals.

Tejada doesn’t offer much outside of his defense, with his career slash line at .255/.330/.323. However, there is the potential for 30 doubles in his bat if he got consistent playing time, but that is not likely something he would receive from the Cardinals.

I am not sure what the “package” would take, but this just seems like a “make a move just to make a move” deal, and with the Cardinals’ in house options, I simply don’t see this being necessary.

The Atlanta Braves reportedly want a ransom for Erick Aybar, so Tejada may be the best case outside the organization to acquire a short stop, but it simply doesn’t make sense to go outside for someone like Tejada.

More from Redbird Rants

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Reflecting on the 2013 Cardinals’ top 30 prospects

The Cardinals will be fine defensively and offensively without Jhonny Peralta with Aledmys Diaz, Greg Garcia, and Jedd Gyorko. So, a trade seems like the last thing the Cardinals need to do right now.

If one of the three options were to go down with injury, I could see this being an option. However, the club is comfortable with what they have just like they are with the outfield and first base. There’s no real improvement out there and it makes more sense to just stand pat and see what your in house options can do.

Next: Could the St. Louis Cardinals Trade for Erick Aybar

I would expect the Mets to find a home for Tejada regardless, as he doesn’t stand to make their opening day roster unless the injury to Asdrubal Cabrera is more serious. Tejada is a proven value defensively at short, and could help a team out depth wise. It just shouldn’t be the Cardinals.