Fantasy season means players projections are ubiquitous right now. This is part of a multi-week series where we will go over projections player by player, averaging what we can to see how the computer models and pundits think the 2014 Mets players will do.
(Warning: This article is being written on 2/21, it is very possible that the Mets have traded or signed for another shortstop by the time this posts)
Ruben Tejada may be even more scrutinized this winter than Ike Davis. Between the calls for Peralta, then a trade for a shortstop, then Stephen Drew and possibly Franklin, the Mets have stuck by Tejada. Tejada also attended a fitness camp this off-season, something that is not reflected in the stats we are about to go over. Ruben had a strong 2012 and a weak 2013, lets see what happens in 2014:
2013: 208 AB, 20 R, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 2 SB, .202 BA, .259 OBP, .260 SLG
ESPN: 437 AB, 48 R, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 4 SB, .259 BA, .313 OBP, .323 SLG
MLB: 477 AB, 60 R, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 4 SB, .273 BA, .328 OBP, .354 SLG
Steamer: 524 PA, 50 R, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 6 SB, .260 BA, .317 OBP, .339 SLG
Oliver: 600 PA, 54 R, 2 HR, 44 RBI, 6 SB, .239 BA, .291 OBP, .305 SLG
PECOTA: 525 PA, 473 BA, 46 R, 3 HR, 41 RBI, 4 SB, .247 BA, .301 OBP, .320 SLG
Average: 549 PA, 463 AB, 51.6 R, 2.4 HR, 39.4 RBI, 4.8 SB, .256 BA, .310 OBP, .328 SLG
The computer programs see a large jump in production from last year, not quite 2012 levels, but way better than last year. This seems to go with the idea that Tejada can hold his own in the lineup if other players around him succeed. Franklin and Drew are still nice options because they have more pop than Tejada, and in Franklin’s situation, a larger ceiling, but the Mets have some internal options that are a few seasons away from coming up as well. The goal for Tejada this year is to work on his OBP, that’s where his strength is.
