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.
What where the Mets doing taking anyone in rule 5 draft anyway ??
Exactly. That’s a mid market or rebuilding maneuver. 25 stars and 1 scrub, no.
So you would say:
“No, I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me”
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.
Red Sox were deep in “rebuilding” when they selected Whitlock. Cleveland would fall into the “mid-market” category.
The Sox made the playoffs in 2021 which was the year Whitlock was selected.
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
You look to get talent whenever or however you can get it regardless of expectations.
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.
SPs break so easily you need deep bullpens.
Looking for a hidden gem
It’s fun lifting arms from the Yankees in the Rule 5!
As long as they didn’t pick Booger Green
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.
You, sir, have a lot of nerve. How dare you post such sensible comments on this forum
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
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.
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.
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.
Good job messing up for the Mess, Zach. Welcome back!
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.
I fully expect Greene will be pitching for the Yankees this summer and will be DFA’d after an appearance.
Quite possibly so. I’m at the game today versus the Jays and the Yankees are absolutely killing it! Even Donaldson homered…
Have fun Clip! Really jealous. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a noreaster.
It was a beautiful night…. About 65 and a little breezy. I’m upset I missed the snow….no, wait, no I’m not.
Ryan Weber 2.0
Yeah you better return him Mets. You know what’s good for ya.