Terry Collins says the shortstop job is Ruben Tejada’s next season, but needs to show he wants it

23 year old Ruben Tejada has the opportunity to make the New York Mets shortstop gig his for as long as he sees fit, but needs to prove that he wants it bad enough.

"“My message is real simple: This job is his, but he’s got to show everybody that he wants it desperately. Like any professional athlete you’ve got to say, I’m going to dedicate this offseason to show up next spring and be the best player that I can possible be’. He’s good enough to be that guy. But as this year shows, hey look, no job is that secure. You’ve got to come in and say, ‘This is my job and no one is taking it.'” New York Mets manager Terry Collins told Newark Star-Ledger."

Terry Collins is absolutely right. Nothing is ever really handed to a professional athlete unless they come from a long line of hall of fame professional athletes. Even then most of them still work hard enough to get a starting position for whatever team they play, no matter the sport and work hard to keep it.

Tejada is a promising young player who may not have a lot of power, but can provide defense for this Mets team.

Hopefully he doesn’t screw it up and let this opportunity slip through his fingers. He needs to field the chance like any ground ball that comes his way and take off with it.