Mets Lose Out In Rule 5 Draft

Today's Rule 5 Draft was pretty uneventful for the Mets. They made no selections and lost Rhiner Cruz to the Astros.  I have to be honest with you, I have never even heard of Cruz, but supposedly the reliever can hit triple digits.

According to Mets.com, "A hard-throwing reliever whose fastball has been clocked in the triple digits in the Dominican this winter, Cruz posted a 3.89 ERA over two levels last season, striking out 69 batters and walking 45 in 71 2/3 innings."

The Mets also lost Luis Rojas and Hector Alvarez.

Manager Terry Collins didn't even bother to stick around for today's Draft after Cruz was selected by Houston (The Astros had the first pick).

With Rule 5 Draft picks, those selected by a team must remain on that team's active roster or disabled list for an entire season, or they must be returned to their original team.

In Cruz's case, the Astros can send him back to the Mets, but it will cost New York $25,000.  With the Mets saving their pennies these days, they're probably fine with not getting him back. But let's be real, Cruz will probably be making his way back to New York at some point this season.

How does one become eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft? This is how:

Any unprotected player who signed at age 19 or older and has been in his current organization for at least four years, or who signed at age 18 or younger and has been in his organization for at least five years, is eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft.

Some recent Rule 5 Draft picks by the Mets include Pedro Beato and Brad Emaus.