Ruben Tejada will head back to Michigan this month for the next phase of his offseason conditioning program. Tejada was among seven Mets players who were sent to a four-week fitness camp back in November. The Mets haven't given up on him and have even expressed confidence publicly in the prospect of him opening 2014 as the starting shortstop, but it's still possible that they'll sign Stephen Drew if the price is right.

Mets special assistant J.P. Ricciardi reiterated Thursday that the front office is happy heading into the 2014 season with Ruben Tejada as their starting shortstop. It's more of the same narrative that has been heard from the Mets this offseason, as they continue to downplay their interest in free agent Stephen Drew. While it's admirable that they continue to throw their support publicly in Tejada's direction, it's hard to believe that they are truly content with the 24-year-old shortstop and his .202/.259/.260 line from a season ago playing on a nightly basis.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated that Ruben Tejada is more likely to open the 2014 season as the starting shortstop than he was "two months ago." Alderson said essentially the same thing earlier this month, and it's starting to sound as though he's just trying to manufacture leverage out of thin air. It's well known that the Mets have soured on Tejada, so a scenario in which Tejada's name is in the Opening Day lineup should be considered a big loss for the Mets' brass, regardless of how aggressively Alderson would like to meddle with the narrative. New York would seem to match up very well as a trade partner with the freewheeling Diamondbacks, who employ a pair of promising shortstops in Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius. Alderson mentioned that "two or three teams are potential trade partners."

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated Sunday that Ruben Tejada is likely to open the 2014 season as the starting shortstop. The Mets could still upgrade the position, but don't appear to be interested in Stephen Drew, the top free agent option at the position. The 24-year-old Tejada was handed the job last season after an impressive 2012 campaign, but posted a brutal .202/.259/.260 slash line with no homers and 10 RBI in just 57 games. He's a highly regarded defender who fantasy owners shouldn't rely on for anything more than a handful of stolen bases.

Jorge Castillo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Ruben Tejada is still considering filing a grievance against the Mets. The Mets waited until September 11 to recall Tejada from Triple-A Las Vegas this year, which ensured that he fell one day short of Super Two status. It's clear that the Mets purposely manipulated his service time, but the decision whether to final a grievance is said to be "ongoing." Even after a disappointing season and the drama regarding his service time, Tejada is considered an option to be the starting shortstop for the Mets in 2014.

Ruben Tejada could enter spring training as the Mets' No. 1 shortstop, according to general manager Sandy Alderson. "You're right to point out that the free-agent market is thin," Alderson said. "It was thin with [Jhonny] Peralta. It is thinner without Peralta. There really aren't a lot of options in the free-agent market at this point. There are some trade possibilities. We've reached out to some clubs about shortstops." Tejada hit .202 in 208 at-bats this past season and spent a long stretch in the minors. "Is it conceivable that Ruben Tejada or someone within the organization is playing shortstop for us on Opening Day? I think the short answer is yes," Alderson said.

Ruben Tejada is among seven Mets players who is attending a four-week fitness camp this month in Michigan. Lucas Duda, Wilmer Flores, 2013 first-round pick Dominic Smith, and three other farmhands are also participating. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Tuesday that it was completely voluntary and expects some to go back in January. Tejada's involvement comes at an interesting time, as he's reportedly mulling over filing a grievance against the Mets due to a service time dispute. Meanwhile, the Mets are looking into possible replacements at shortstop.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that Ruben Tejada is considering filing a grievance against the Mets accusing them of manipulating his service time to keep him from free agency. The 24-year-old shortstop finished the season one day short of three full years of major league service time. The Mets planned to recall Tejada once his season at Triple-A Las Vegas came to a close. They recalled eight players from Las Vegas over the first nine days of September, then made Tejada their final call-up on September 10, three days after the Triple-A playoffs concluded. If he indeed files the grievance and is awarded an extra day of service time, he would hit free agency after the 2016 season instead of 2017 as it currently stands.

Ruben Tejada is making progress in his recovery from a broken right fibula. Tejada didn't require surgery after the injury on September 18 and appears to be on track with his initial six-to-eight-week recovery window. The soon-to-be 24-year-old is coming off a lost season, but he figures to be the favorite to open the season as the starting shortstop unless the Mets go in another direction this winter.

Mets manager Terry Collins said of Ruben Tejada going into next season that the shortstop job "is his, but he's got to show everybody that he wants it desperately." It's been well documented that the Mets want to see more commitment from Tejada, whose season ended Wednesday due to a broken right fibula. He'll be 100 percent for spring training but will need to show improved work ethic. "My message is real simple: This job is his, but he's got to show everybody that he wants it desperately," Collins said. "Like any professional athlete you've got to say, 'I'm going to dedicate this offseason to show up next spring and be the best player that I can possibly be.' He's good enough to be that guy. But as this year shows, hey look, no job is that secure. You've got to come in and say, 'This is my job and no one is taking it.'"