Ruben Tejada signs with St. Louis Cardinals

Free-agent shortstop Ruben Tejada signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

According to ESPN, the deal is for one year and worth $1.5 million. The $1.5 million is guaranteed. Tejada was scheduled to make $3 million this year. He was released by the New York Mets last week and the Mets are obligated to pay him just less than $500,000, since they released him with more than 15 days until Opening Day.

"We do feel like there is an opportunity to add depth, because Tejada was recently released, and for us it made sense to pursue this," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "I just think it makes our club stronger overall, and ultimately it then gives (manager) Mike (Matheny) the flexibility to utilize the different infield positions until Peralta gets back."

Peralta has been out since being sidelined with a thumb injury, most likely until June.  In obtaining Tejada, Mozeliak said it was likely "a fresh start" for Tejada.  He also commented, "I think for him to be a part of our organization just adds immediate depth to a position."  He ended the statement saying that the loss of Peralta made it difficult to replicate the player, but having the free agent allowed them to be "in a better spot today than we were yesterday."

Tejada had previously signed on with the Mets in 2006. The Mets put him on waivers and then released him after they signed free-agent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera last week. He hit .261 and had three homeruns, 23 doubles and 28 RBIs last year, according to Fox Sports. He was hitting .278 and had one homerun, a triple and a double this spring. Tejada is a .255 career hitter and has 16 homeruns in his career.

Tejada took the final spot on the Cardinals roster. The addition of Tejada gives the Cardinals infield depth, which they've needed since shortstop Peralta is out with his injury. The Cardinals could use Jedd Gyorko, Aledmys Garcia and Greg Garcia along with Tejada as fill-ins for Peralta.