Marlins add Miguel Tejada on minors deal

The Miami Marlins have scooped up another past-his-prime veteran with hopes of a career revival. ESPN Deportes’ Enrique Rojas is reporting that the Fish are close to signing 2002 American League MVP Miguel Tejada to a minor league contract.

Through sixteen seasons with seven different teams Tejada has amassed nearly 9000 place appearances to go with 307 home runs and a career .285/.336/.456 slash line. Though his power numbers have come way down with age, the 39 year-old still hit 15 homers as recently 2010.

In 2013 Tejada saw action in 53 games with the Kansas City Royals, where he hit .288/.317/.378 along with three long balls in 167 PA.

This comes two days after the Marlins signed veteran pitcher Randy Wolf mere minutes after he was released from his minors deal with the Seattle Mariners.

So, the Marlins seemingly have not yet thrown in the towel following the devastating Jose Fernandez news. The Marlins added veteran leadership to guide its young core before the season started and appear geared toward that same mentality heading into the dog days of summer. Sitting .500 at 21-21 they are by no means out of the race, though it’s still only mid-May.

Miguel Tejada certainly isn’t the power threat he once was, but if he can contribute anywhere near the tune of his .288 batting average from last year in a part-time infield role this could prove to be a productive signing.

Will the Marlins go after any more free agent veterans? Surely there are more old guys who are trying to return to MLB.