The Phillies' offseason has been a bit of a rollercoaster-some solid moves, a few tough losses, and one nearly headline-grabbing signing that slipped through their fingers. They managed to bring back key veterans Kyle Schwarber and J.T.
Realmuto, reinforcing the core that’s helped keep them in postseason contention. They also added some fresh faces in Brad Keller and Adolis García, both of whom bring intriguing upside to the roster.
But not everything broke Philly’s way. Losing Ranger Suárez and Harrison Bader stings, especially considering Suárez’s reliability in the rotation and Bader’s defensive prowess in the outfield.
Trading away Matt Strahm further thins out the bullpen depth. And then there’s the Bo Bichette saga-a near-miss that had Phillies fans dreaming of a splashy infield upgrade, only to watch him land with the division rival Mets.
That one hurt.
Now, while it’s not exactly a counterpunch to the Mets snagging Bichette, the Phillies did make a quietly interesting move that involves a familiar name-especially to fans who remember one of the more controversial playoff moments of the last decade.
The Phillies have hired former Mets infielder Ruben Tejada as a position coach for their Florida Complex League (FCL) affiliate. On the surface, it’s a minor league staff addition. But for those who recall the infamous Chase Utley slide in the 2015 NLDS, Tejada’s name carries a bit more weight.
Tejada, of course, was the player on the receiving end of that aggressive slide at second base-one that fractured his leg and sparked a wave of outrage from Mets fans. That moment didn’t happen while Utley was in a Phillies uniform (he was with the Dodgers at the time), but the incident has long fueled animosity between Mets fans and Utley-and by extension, the Phillies.
Now, Tejada, 36, is stepping into a coaching role within the very organization that once stood opposite him in that playoff flashpoint. It’s a full-circle moment of sorts, and one that speaks to the unpredictable paths baseball careers can take.
Tejada’s playing career spanned parts of nine MLB seasons, mostly with the Mets. He logged 663 big league games and posted a 4.5 bWAR, with 530 hits, 10 home runs, and 158 RBIs. His career slash line may not jump off the page-he finished with a .641 OPS and an 81 OPS+-but he was a steady infield presence and a solid contributor during his time in New York.
His last stint in the majors came in 2019, when he briefly returned to the Mets and appeared in six games. After that, he bounced around a bit, including a short-lived run with the Phillies in 2021. He didn’t stick with the club for long before being released, eventually landing with the White Sox for a final brush with the big leagues.
More recently, Tejada has been playing in the Mexican League, suiting up for Caliente de Durango. He was still putting up respectable numbers there, hitting .286 with a .769 OPS in 21 games before being released in January 2026.
Now, he’s taking the next step in his baseball journey-this time from the dugout. His new role with the FCL Phillies gives him a chance to mentor young talent in the early stages of their pro careers. And while his playing days are behind him, Tejada brings nearly a decade of big-league experience, a deep understanding of the grind, and a unique perspective shaped by both triumph and adversity.
It’s a small but notable addition to the Phillies’ developmental staff-and a reminder that baseball, for all its rivalries and history, often finds a way to bring things full circle.