MLB Spring Training Rumors: Are New York Mets shopping for a new shortstop?

Ruben Tejada is the New York Mets’ shortstop, or at least that the word from Mets manager Terry Collins. But some aren’t buying into the vote of confidence, and think that the Mets could be in the market for Tejada’s replacement.

ESPN’s Adam Rubin reported that Collins took a moment to make sure Tejada knew what the score was:

"“Listen, you’re the shortstop here. Your name and your number are going to be in the lineup. So you’ve just got to go be the player we know you can be and quit worrying about trying to impress everybody.” – Terry Collins to Mets SS Ruben Tejada"

Tejada has already committed three errors in just six games this spring, and although the organization insists he’s not under heavy scrutiny, fans might disagree.

Rubin would tend to agree, saying in his report, “Despite Sandy Alderson’s play-it-cool statement that Tejada is not under a microscope and insistence there is no ‘situation,’ the pressure has to be mounting for the Mets to find an alternative at shortstop.”

Tejada has spent his entire four-year MLB career with the Mets, but hasn’t blossomed into the whiz-kid between the bags that they hoped he would.

The Mets can’t afford to have a question mark at the shortstop position. If they are going to make a move, whether it’s for the Mariners’ Nick Franklin, or possibly even Stephen Drew, they need to move on it quickly. Not only is Tejada booting routine grounders in the field, but he’s also struggling mightily at the plate, sporting a spring average to .067 (1 for 15).