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Mets Return Rule 5 Pick Zach Greene To Yankees

By Steve Adams | March 14, 2023 at 1:21pm CDT

Right-hander Zach Greene, whom the Mets selected in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, has cleared waivers and will be returned to the Yankees organization, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com (via Twitter). The Yankees are not required to add him to the 40-man roster.

Greene, 26, was the Yankees’ eighth-round pick back in 2019. As a player selected in the Rule 5 Draft, he’d have had to spend the entire season on the Mets’ roster or injured list (with at least 90 of those days coming on the active roster) in order for the Mets to be able to option him the following season. Before being offered back to his original team, a Rule 5 selection must first pass unclaimed through the entire league on outright waivers, which was the case in this instance.

Greene spent the 2022 season, his age-25 campaign, pitching with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. He logged 68 1/3 innings out of the bullpen, notching a 3.42 ERA with a huge 33.3% strikeout rate but a bloated 11.1% walk rate. Eric Longenhagen and Tess Taruskin of FanGraphs called him a potential three-pitch middle reliever when profiling last year’s Rule 5 class, noting that Greene’s delivery generated tremendous carry on his heater, which helps to offset the pitch’s below-average velocity.

With five relievers who can’t be optioned — Edwin Diaz, David Robertson, Adam Ottavino, Brooks Raley and Stephen Nogosek —  the Mets were always going to have a hard time carrying a Rule 5 pick. That’s especially true considering one of the few optionable arms they do have was also one of their most effective relievers in 2022: right-hander Drew Smith. Carrying Greene would’ve likely left Smith and righty John Curtiss as the team’s only two optionable relievers, creating minimal flexibility to shuffle the staff when the bullpen needs an extra arm or the rotation needs a spot starter.

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New York Mets New York Yankees Rule 5 Draft Transactions Zach Greene

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View Comments (47)

Comments

  1. Big whiffa

    2 weeks ago

    What where the Mets doing taking anyone in rule 5 draft anyway ??

    Reply
    • davemlaw

      2 weeks ago

      Exactly. That’s a mid market or rebuilding maneuver. 25 stars and 1 scrub, no.

      Reply
      • rsmith

        2 weeks ago

        So you would say:
        “No, I don’t want no scrub
        A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me”

        Reply
      • Mad Hatter

        2 weeks ago

        Not exactly. The Yankees lost Garrett Whitlock to the Red Sox and Trevor Stephan to Cleveland in the last couple of years in Rule 5. Both have had very good success with contending teams.

        Reply
        • rsmith

          2 weeks ago

          Red Sox were deep in “rebuilding” when they selected Whitlock. Cleveland would fall into the “mid-market” category.

        • Mad Hatter

          2 weeks ago

          The Sox made the playoffs in 2021 which was the year Whitlock was selected.

        • rsmith

          2 weeks ago

          News for you Red Sox (playoffs or not) have been in rebuild for 3 years. Coming off a last place finish in 2020 is when they selected him. 2021 ALCS was not expect, not even the brass

        • Bright Side

          2 weeks ago

          You look to get talent whenever or however you can get it regardless of expectations.

        • Mad Hatter

          2 weeks ago

          The whole point here is for $50,000 put some trust in your minor league scout’s judgment. Roll the dice because you never know. And actually, there’s no better time to take a Rule 5 chance than in a rebuild.

      • Bright Side

        2 weeks ago

        SPs break so easily you need deep bullpens.

        Reply
    • DarkSide830

      2 weeks ago

      Looking for a hidden gem

      Reply
    • terrymesmer

      2 weeks ago

      It’s fun lifting arms from the Yankees in the Rule 5!

      Reply
      • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

        2 weeks ago

        As long as they didn’t pick Booger Green

        Reply
    • angryyankeesfan1

      2 weeks ago

      The Mets literally did not have a bullpen at the time of the Rule 5 Draft. Once they got a bullpen, they didn’t need him.

      Reply
      • Bill M

        2 weeks ago

        You, sir, have a lot of nerve. How dare you post such sensible comments on this forum

        Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      2 weeks ago

      I could see the Mets taking a positional player in AAA that might have some power offensively. But I don’t understand pitching being drafted

      Reply
    • metsie1

      2 weeks ago

      Why not? It was the equivalent of a free tryout. Money Cohen finds under a seat cushion. Didn’t work out. He stunk. Back to the Yankees he goes.

      Reply
  2. Buzz Killington

    2 weeks ago

    Thank You for shopping at Yankees depth. We’re sorry your selection was not satisfactory to your standards. Please shop again soon for more solid depth at competitive prices. Sincerely, Brian Cashman.

    Reply
  3. rsmith

    2 weeks ago

    Wont be long before Thad Ward, Noah Song and Andrew Politi get returned to Red Sox.
    Ward: 7.20 ERA/1.60 Whip
    Politi: 7.71/1.50
    Song: Injuried

    And so many Red Sox ‘fans’ were outraged after the Rule 5 Draft.

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      2 weeks ago

      Ward will probably stay. WSH has so much refuse on their 40 that they’d be hard-pressed to find 13 pitchers clearly better than him.

      Reply
      • rsmith

        2 weeks ago

        If Ward stays healthy (a big if) he should stick with Was. The other two are going to be returns.

        Reply
    • fffbbb

      2 weeks ago

      Song will not be going back to Red Sox. With injury Phillies will be able to send him to minors for 30 days rehab and by then they will find a way for him to be multi inning guy in pen. Red Sox screwed that one up.

      Reply
      • rsmith

        2 weeks ago

        You think Song can overcome a 3.5 year layoff with a 30 day rehab assignment? And, go from 17 innings (career) at Low-Low A, to the Big Leagues. All the while, playing for a team trying to return to the WS.

        I’ll take that bet.

        Reply
        • Bruin1012

          2 weeks ago

          Noah Song is a unique case in the rule 5. I don’t think the Phillies can keep him on the 26 man for three months in an ultra competitive division. He won’t make it through waivers though some team that has nothing to play for like Nationals will claim him and put him on their 26 man for the 90 day period necessary.

          It’s too bad for Song the best thing for his development was not to be taken in the rule 5 and he could be starting off in minors camp and ramping up slow and easy. Sadly I see almost no way Song is coming back to Boston.

        • rsmith

          2 weeks ago

          Bruin: Do you know any other player that has been claimed via this rule? I honestly dont. — Another team would have to claim an injured, unknown talent player, carry him on their 26 man roster for 90 days, and inherit his medical bills.

          I dont see how you think this is the most likely option.

        • Bruin1012

          2 weeks ago

          He’s unique most players that are taken in the rule 5 have a lot of minors and may have some up side but Song showed tremendous upside when he pitched. I don’t know if he can back to where he once was I just know it’s highly unlikely this year. Still it is unique that a player of his upside to be placed on waivers. If he is which I believe he will be there will be a team out there that will claim him I almost guarantee it. This is a very unique case normally yes the rule 5 players placed on waivers always go back to there original team. There just hasn’t been a guy with Song’s perceived upside being placed on waivers he isn’t going back to Boston.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 weeks ago

          Bruin: It will be interesting to see how Song turns out. He dominated the weak Patriot Conference pitching against teams like Holy Cross and Lafayette. He looked good coming out of the bullpen for Team USA, but that was only 5.1 innings.

        • Bruin1012

          2 weeks ago

          He was also outstanding in a limited appearance in short season Lowell in 2019.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 weeks ago

          Bruin: Song may be turn out to be good, but if we look at the 2019 Lowell Spinners, we see:

          Noah Song: 1.06 ERA, 17 IP, 19K
          Chris Murphy: 1.08 ERA, 33.1 IP, 34K
          Brendan Nail: 1.23 ERA, 14.2 IP, 27K

          Murphy is the only one to make it to AAA so far where he struggled to a 6.57 ERA over 75.1 innings last year.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 weeks ago

          Bruin: I’m not disagreeing with you. Just more to see to the thought process about Song.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 weeks ago

          more to add

        • Bruin1012

          2 weeks ago

          I hear you Suit but it was the raw stuff of Noah Song his fastball sat mid nineties and his curve and slider were both considered plus and at least an average changeup. Based on his stuff alone if he didn’t have the military commitment he would of been a first round pick. I’m not sure he can get back to that status but he was looked at as mid rotation starter with TOR upside if he didn’t go to the military. I just think that some team will take a chance that he can recapture that ability in a year or two. If I was the GM of a team going nowhere I would snatch this guy up in the blink of an eye if he is put on waivers.

    • joebourgeois

      2 weeks ago

      If Song’s really injured, they can stash him on the IL for the year.

      Reply
      • rsmith

        2 weeks ago

        “stash him on the IL for the year”

        Song must be on the active 26-man roster for 90 days of the season.

        Reply
        • pohle

          2 weeks ago

          they would get to retain those exact rights into next year were he injured for enough time to not be active for 90 days, so this all is a moot point.

        • teo37

          2 weeks ago

          Yes they would get to keep him. If he’s only on the Roster say 60 days they would have to keep him on the roster next season for 30 days

        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 weeks ago

          I’m guessing Song will be “injured” most of not all of this year due to trying to pitch after not pitching for 3 1/2 years. So, the question is most likely can they stash him in the bullpen for 90 days next year? Also, is this all fair to Song?

        • rsmith

          2 weeks ago

          NJ pohle, I didnt see that rule.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 weeks ago

          I didn’t see that rule either, unless it was that sentence I was asking about the other day.

  4. Doug

    2 weeks ago

    Good job messing up for the Mess, Zach. Welcome back!

    Reply
  5. angt222

    2 weeks ago

    Too bad Greene couldn’t take advantage of the Mets bullpen opportunity, but at least he go some exposure that could facilitate a Yankee callup or trade if he pitches well going forward.

    Reply
  6. YankeesBleacherCreature

    2 weeks ago

    I fully expect Greene will be pitching for the Yankees this summer and will be DFA’d after an appearance.

    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      2 weeks ago

      Quite possibly so. I’m at the game today versus the Jays and the Yankees are absolutely killing it! Even Donaldson homered…

      Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        2 weeks ago

        Have fun Clip! Really jealous. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a noreaster.

        Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          2 weeks ago

          It was a beautiful night…. About 65 and a little breezy. I’m upset I missed the snow….no, wait, no I’m not.

    • ctyank7

      2 weeks ago

      Ryan Weber 2.0

      Reply
  7. retired/advisory role

    2 weeks ago

    Yeah you better return him Mets. You know what’s good for ya.

    Reply

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