Kevin Kernan

Kevin Kernan

MLB

Frustrated with Tejada out of shape, Mets keep eyes on Drew

PORT ST. LUCIE — Ruben Tejada still isn’t working out for the Mets.

Even though Tejada attended an offseason strength/conditioning and nutrition camp in Michigan, Mets management has not been overwhelmed by the shortstop’s “new’’ body.

“He looks pretty much the same,’’ one source told The Post on Monday.

Frustrated with Tejada, the Mets still have a strong interest in signing free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew, two sources have told The Post. They also have shown interest in Seattle’s Nick Franklin.

Sure, Tejada made the offseason commitment, but there clearly is a long way to go and that is why the Mets, if they could strike a deal with Drew’s agent, Scott Boras, would do so. But that is one big if. The Mets have reportedly offered a one-year, $9.5 million contract to Drew.

“I would not be surprised if we signed Drew,’’ one Mets official told the Post, “but at the same time, I don’t expect it to happen.’’

Drew could sit out until after the June amateur draft, when the draft- pick compensation rule would no longer apply. The Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mets, Pirates and A’s have shown interest, and the Yankees are always lurking.

At this juncture, Tejada continues to hold the position by default. To keep it, Tejada is going to have to have an impressive spring. Tejada already has let one golden opportunity slip through his fingers, not taking hold of the position after the Mets allowed Jose Reyes to sign with the Marlins. And now Tejada, 24, is in danger of allowing the same thing to happen again.

Tejada said he is confident he will play well this season, saying, “The [Michigan] camp was good preparation for me for spring training.’’
As for Drew, Tejada is not concerned about the free agent or any other shortstop the Mets have an interest in.

“I don’t make the decisions,’’ Tejada said. “I’m just trying to prepare myself as best I can. You never know what happens here. My concentration and preparation is on the game. I want to show everybody I can play good baseball.’’

Asked if he felt an opportunity slipped through his fingers in blowing his chance to replace Reyes, Tejada said, “I do my best every time I go to the field. This year I really think I’ve come here prepared to work hard every day.’’

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he appears a bit slimmer than last spring when he was clearly overweight, but he is not moving that much better.

While the Mets have raved about Wilmer Flores’ more athletic body (they don’t view him as a shortstop) and Lucas Duda’s drop in body fat, you have not heard many comments from the Mets about the new Tejada since camp began. Several Mets officials wanted to avoid the subject entirely Monday.

“Right now I feel really good,’’ Tejada said. “I think the best decision I could make was to go there and prepare myself for the rest of my career.’’

Careers can come to a jolting halt. Remember when Eduardo Nunez was going to slide into the Yankees infield? He still hasn’t been able to secure a job.

The fact the Mets have made an offer to Drew and shown interest in Franklin shows they have severe doubts about Tejada, who hit .202 last season. To land Drew, the Mets have to come up with big money and with the financial restrictions they have put on themselves, that is a difficult situation.

For now, Tejada remains on the job, but so far, nothing is working out at shortstop for the 2014 Mets.