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| Tejada heads to Kansas City for 2013. (US Presswire) |
Free-agent infielder Miguel Tejada has signed a minor-league deal with the Kansas City Royals, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com confirms. The news was first reported by the Associated Press on Monday. The deal is for $1.1 million, though that money isn't guaranteed, as Tejada would need to make the team.
Tejada, 38, hit just .239/.270/.326 with four homers and 26 RBI in 91 games for the Giants in 2011. The extent of his play during the 2012 season came in 36 games with Triple-A Norfolk (Orioles' system), where he hit .259/.325/.296. So it appeared he was cooked.
But, according to Heyman, the Royals have been impressed with Tejada's play in winter ball. He's playing for the Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican league, and he's hitting .284/.336/.433 with four homers, nine doubles and 19 RBI in 34 games.
Tejada's chances of starting on the left side of the infield are pretty much nil, as Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar are locked in. Tejada is still a long shot at second base, but he has a chance -- albeit a slim one, I'd bet -- to play over Chris Getz and/or Johnny Giavotella at some point.
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