PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets infielder Ruben Tejada will be eligible for free agency after the 2016 season, a year ahead of originally scheduled, the New York Post reported.
Tejada originally was at four years, 171 days of major league service -- one day shy of a full five years. But the Mets reportedly have agreed to credit him with an extra day of service, which makes him a free agent next offseason.
Tejada's representatives had mulled a grievance over service time back in 2013. Back then, the Mets called up two players when rosters expanded on Sept. 1, reliever Greg Burke on Sept. 8, then had outfielder Mike Baxter, catcher Juan Centeno and right-hander Aaron Harang join the team after Triple-A Las Vegas' season ended in the first round of the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Tejada's promotion came a day later, on Sept. 10 -- depriving him by a day of that full extra year of service.
In reality, Tejada may have been non-tendered next winter, making him a free agent anyway. He is making $3 million this season and has a nebulous role considering Wilmer Flores is the primary infield backup.
