Climbing Tal's Hill
Fansided

Astros: Reviewing the 2007 Miguel Tejada trade with Orioles

By Andrew Gleinser

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 2: Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros looks on against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on May 2, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Astros defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 2: Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros looks on against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on May 2, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Astros defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
PHOENIX – JUNE 14: Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros hits a RBI ground out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the major league baseball game at Chase Field on June 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – JUNE 14: Miguel Tejada #10 of the Houston Astros hits a RBI ground out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the major league baseball game at Chase Field on June 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

What the Astros Got

The Astros got Tejada, who provided a big upgrade offensively over their previous shortstop Adam Everett. He was also solid defensively, though not as exceptional as Everett in that regard. Still, there’s no doubt the team got better by adding Tejada to the mix.

He was a four-time All-Star and one of the most durable players in the game, having appeared in 159 or more games in eight straight seasons, including playing in all 162 in six straight seasons from 2001 through 2006. He also was a two-time Silver Slugger winner and had received MVP consideration six times.

He broke in with Oakland in 1997 and provided 22.1 WAR over seven seasons, including winning the AL MVP award in 2002. He left for Baltimore via free agency after the 2003 season and was worth 19.5 WAR in five seasons. Tejada totaled a major league-best 150 RBIs in 2004, his fifth straight season of 100 or more RBIs, and hit .330 in 2006. His 2007 season, however, saw a slight decline, as he hit just 19 doubles, 18 homers and 81 RBIs in 133 games.

In his first year with the Astros, he hit .283/.314/.415 with 38 doubles, 13 homers and 66 RBIs. His home run, RBI, on-base and slugging marks were his worst since 1998. He also grounded into a major league-high 32 double plays, though he did make his fifth All-Star team.

Tejada’s second year in Houston was better. He hit .313/.340/.455 with 14 homers, 86 RBIs and a league-leading 46 doubles. He left via free agency after those two seasons, having provided a total of 3.8 WAR for the Astros. Though his power had largely disappeared, he played in 158 games each season, though the team managed only 86 wins in 2008 and 74 wins in 2009.

Home/Astros History