According to Adam Rubin at ESPNNewYork.com, the Mets have decided to add seven prospects to the 40-man roster to protect them from being selected in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The following players have been added:
1) Robert Carson - LHP
2) Reese Havens - 2B
3) Kirk Nieuwenhuis - CF
4) Jeurys Familia - RHP
5) Wilmer Flores - SS
6) Cesar Puello - OF
7) Juan Lagares - OF
The Mets have several players who are eligible for the Rule 5 draft who were not protected and who could be selected by other franchises. The most notable omissions include Collin McHugh, Jefry Marte, and Brad Holt. I had also mentioned Juan Centeno as a player the Mets would possibly look to protect.
These additions bring the total number of players on the 40-man roster from 31 to 38. That leaves two empty spots for the Mets to use on free agents or selections in the Rule 5 draft from other teams. It is highly likely that the Mets will remove other players as the off-season progresses, either through non-tendering arbitration eligible players, or through designating for assignment a player to remove them from the roster. Any player who is non-tendered will become a free agent and will be able to sign with any team they wish. Any player that is DFA'd will need to pass through waivers without being claimed by another team in order for the Mets to be able to assign them to the minors.
Players that are still up for arbitration are Mike Pelfrey, Angel Pagan, Ronny Paulino, and Manny Acosta. Pelfrey and Pagan are highly likely to be tendered contracts, and Acosta is also likely to return. Paulino is a toss up. If the Mets decide to non-tender Paulino, then they may choose to go with light hitting Mike Nickeas as the backup to Josh Thole. The deadline for their decisions on these players is December 12th.
Looking ahead, the Mets still have many decisions to make before Spring Training starts in February. However, the roster is starting to take shape, and before you know it the Mets future will start to come into a clearer picture.
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