The MLB Rule 5 draft will take place December 6, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. Last year the New York Mets ended up not taking a player in the Rule 5 draft. This year I’d like to submit 2 names for consideration if they are available when the Mets turn to pick comes around.
1. Jeff Kobernus, 2B, Nationals
The 24 year old Kobernus is described to be a very good glove defensively at 2B who has great range due to his speed. Kobernus stole 53 bases in 2011 while playing in the Carolina League and followed that with 42 stolen bases this year in the Eastern League. Who knows how many more he could have stolen since his season was cut short due to his fracturing a rib in a game where he was hit by a pitch not once but twice back on July 26. His speed along with his glove and range at 2B could be of use off the bench as a late-inning replacement for current 2B Daniel Murphy.
2. Josh Fields, RHP, Red Sox
The 27-year-old Fields was acquired by the Red Sox from the Mariners last year in the Erik Bedard trade. His curveball was rated the “Best Breaking Pitch in the Southern League in 2010.” In this article his fastball is said to be in the 93-94 mph range. Fields also throws a changeup that is described as a work in progress. Fields is currently pitching in the Dominican Winter League and has a 12.00 ERA in six innings pitched. Could the27-year-old be a worthy risk for a roster spot as a reliever in the Mets pen?
Other names I came across that I felt were at least worthy of a mention were Cubs RHP Nick Struck who happened to be named Cubs 2012 Pitcher of the Year, and A’s RHP James Simmons who allowed 2 hits over 11.1 IP for the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League following a season where he had a combined 2.89 ERA between AA & AAA.
72 comments
Joe Gomes
11/26/2012-9:07am at 9:07 am (UTC -4)
Meanwhile, the idiotic Mets will lose Aderlin Rodriguez because the failed to protect a prospect who hit 24 hrs and is getting better in order to protect a BP pick.
Idiots, from top to bottom.
wanny
11/26/2012-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Aderlin won’t get selected. He is not ready for the big leagues in any way and no team is going to waste a year of development and a roster spot like that.
He can’t play defense. He doesn’t control the strike zone and strikes out a ton at low minor league levels.
Every farm system has a half a dozen Aderlin Rodriguezes.
Maybe he gets picked, maybe he develops into a good player. But I can’t call them idiots for not protecting him in this draft.
Prismo
11/26/2012-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
Way off-topic, but I HAVE to link this.
metsblog.com/image/willie-mays-and-jfk-jr-at-shea-stadium/
Check out the picture and the caption. I’m practically rolling on the floor laughing here.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
Read some of the comments—that is why posts here should be as accurate as possible.
They do that EVERY day, sometimes in multiple posts, and some comment threads are literal mockfests.
We must be better, we can be better.
Prismo
11/26/2012-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
That awkward moment when MB links to the RDM article in which I post a comment making fun of MB.
TRS86
11/26/2012-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
LOL. Oh well. People would rip us too if we did that.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
We won’t Chief.
You now have a REAL “Executive Editor” who works for free, is good at it, cherishes the job, and REALLY cares.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Prismo—They do not almost EVER correct their own ridiculous errors—they do not almost EVER read their own comments—there is precisely 0% chance that anyone there reads the comment section here.
SaltyGary
11/26/2012-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
Well say goodbye to any more MB bumps… ROFL
Donal
11/26/2012-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
Or they don’t think anyone will put a guy who has never hit above A Ball on their big league roster and will just protect him from the minor league draft.
Or they are waiting until Pelfrey and Torres are non tendered and they have more space on the 40 man.
TX
11/26/2012-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
exactly
TRS86
11/26/2012-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
I am pretty sure the rosters are now set and regardless of Pelfrey or Torres the Mets have left him unprotected. IF he is even eligible. That being said, it would be unlikely any MLB team will be able to carry him all year.
Bryan
11/26/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
You are correct, Nov 20 was the deadline to add guys to protect them, so AROD is eligible. I agree it would be tough to keep him on a roster the entire season, but an AL team that knows its going nowhere this year could take the chance.
srt
11/26/2012-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
‘Or they don’t think anyone will put a guy who has never hit above A Ball on their big league roster and will just protect him from the minor league draft.’
This.
I don’t get the whining about this. As you said, what team is going to waste a spot on the 25 man roster to claim him and keep him on that roster when he’s had limited experience?
TRS86
11/26/2012-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
I guess we said the same thing about Flores and while he was hot for a little while, it may have stunted his growth as a player as well.
Stick
11/26/2012-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
an incredibly bad team like the Astros might as well, since their 25th man is likely to be crap anyway, and they have no chance of competing.
Still, they are playing the odds.
TRS86
11/26/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
True Stick but there are unprotected players out there better and more ready than Arod.
TX
11/26/2012-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Because it’s fun to whine and complain and act like self-entitled fans that should be given titles every other year, if not 2 out of every 3…
gategem
11/26/2012-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
I most certainly agree with you. Some people allow the most inconsequential subjects to trigger an anxiety attack.
TX
11/26/2012-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Off topic. Not sure how, if at all, the Longoria extension affects the Wright numbers at all. To me, it will still hang around 6 years, 115 mil or so.
Stick
11/26/2012-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
there is another side to the Ad Rod story.
everyone keeps focusing on the small risk some team drafts him and keeps him, meaning the mets lose him.
but, if they protect him, then his clock is started, and you run into the problem of having to have him on the 25 man before he may be ready. Plus of course, clogging up a spot on the 40 man, even if he is in the minors.
Certainly it would suck if he gets selected, but lets also not make him out to be Bryce Harper. Other than the 24 HRs, he really did not have special numbers, and he is a work in progress in the field.
Hell, they could always appease the fans by bringing Emaus back if Aderlin gets selected, right?
TRS86
11/26/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
I don’t know how all of it works but I guess it’s better for him to pass through now than to try it a year from now.
Stick
11/26/2012-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
once they put him on, he is using an option year, and if they want to remove him he has to go through waivers, which has different rules than the rule 5 draft, so much easier to lose a guy.
generally a team wants to avoid putting a guy on the 40 man before they absolutely have to, and this is one of the big drawbacks to loading up on 16 YO international signings that are raw and need a lot of development time. You can run out of that before he is ready.
Notorious PING
11/26/2012-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
So, 2 suggestions for the rule 5? What a scoop!
Prismo
11/26/2012-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for the hit and for reading the piece!
TRS86
11/26/2012-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
“Link: 2 Rule 5 players the Mets should consider Real Dirty Mets Blog”
LOL, what did you expect? I mean I realize you are not used to being able to trust a title but the dang title tells you what the link is about.
TRS86
11/26/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Off topic:
If the Mets either trade Wright or let his contract expire and he puts up numbers similar to this season what does he get on the open market? I honestly have no idea if another team would pay him more than the Mets rumored offer or what teams would be able and willing.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Good question, and if he is MIA after the first week of July again, he won’t get anything close to 7/140 or whatever his agents want.
TRS86
11/26/2012-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
I am not so sure about that. Baseball is still a year long sport and those in it still look at year end averages. If he post .300+ with an OBP near .400 again he might not get 7/140 but he will get paid.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
I really think this is not going to happen unless he has a huge year.
He will be 31 in 2014. His last four years are not close–not close–to his first four.
Sure he will get paid, but not close to 6 or 7 at $20 mil per.
TX
11/26/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
I would figure he does get 6/120 – 7/140 on the open market. If bearded mountain man can get those numbers from the Nats, Wright is certainly getting that.
Now, not saying those numbers are the smart play, but he’ll get them. If Wright was a FA today, he’d be in the top 3, if not the top, FA on the market. Even at 31, he’s going to get paid.
Prismo
11/26/2012-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
I guess a fair question would be…
would get get an offer over $100MM from a team with a payroll under $100MM?
TRS86
11/26/2012-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Depends on the situation. Of course we are also assuming the Mets will have that payroll in 2014.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
I think the answer is no.
Which team would it be?
The Braves or the Reds maybe?
His age and decline are surely going to be factors.
TRS86
11/26/2012-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman keep in mind that BJ Upton might get 75M.
Stick
11/26/2012-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
there have been a lot of articles about BJ in the philly paper the last few days. I really thing he is a perfect fit for them, and I do think they are serious. And some of the potential numbers floating around are high, so it would not surprise me if he ended up with a 6/100+ from them.
At one point I really thought they would be getting Bourne, which still could, but we shall see.
TRS86
11/26/2012-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I read the Braves and Phillies are in a bidding war with a mysterious 3rd team. My vote is on the mysterious team.. LOL.
Stick
11/26/2012-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
IMO, it is ALWAYS the mystery team that wins.
what about the Yanks? Wouldn’t he fill a need there?
kingman 26
11/26/2012-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
TRS, Upton getting that might be nuts, but his HRs have gone up every year for the last five years, and he steals 30 bases a year, and he is almost two years younger than Wright.
If he gets 75, to me, that says even more loudly that Wright does not get close to $130–140, or even 125.
TRS86
11/26/2012-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
Come on Kingman:
.242 .316 .420 .736 the last 4 years.
He hasn’t had an OPS over .800 since 2007 and that was the only time in his 8 year career.
Upton’s not even in the same class as Wright and I am an Upton fan.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry if I was not clear—I did say Upton getting that might be nuts, and Upton certainly has not had any years approaching what Wright did from 2005–2008. He is not, overall, in Wright’s class over their entire careers.
But he is a CF, a fast one, is two years younger than Wright, does not have serious injuries, and has played his whole career in a pitchers’ park.
TRS86
11/26/2012-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
I think we are still missing each other’s point. If a guy who is 28 and has career like years in hitting with an OPS still under .800 is getting 75M, I find it hard pressed that Wright won’t find someone to give him way more. I think that is all.
kingman 26
11/26/2012-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
You may be absolutely right TRS—but both contracts might also turn out to be abominations.
TRS86
11/26/2012-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
True, but I didn’t say which contract will turn into a disaster. LOL. I am just curious how much he will get paid by another team. I still think he’s topping 100M regardless.
Stick
11/26/2012-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
If he stays healthy, and has a similar year to last year overall (though I would expect it to be not quite so extreme!) 6/120 at least, and some team might bite on 7 years. So compromise at 6/120 guaranteed, with an option year 7.
still, there is risk to playing out the last year of a contract, so the mets need to get some kind of consideration if they are going to assume all that risk for Wright.
especially with his rep as being someone that puts a ton of pressure on himself, who knows what he will do if he is trying to carry the team, and playing for his contract? he might end up bald by the end of the season!
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
After talking to Bryan and looking at some of the other teams players left unprotected I came across a few players with power left unprotected whose power has been demonstrated mostly in A, High A with some in AA.
Look at the Rangers they left Chris McGuiness a 1B unprotected. He had a solid AFL season which followed a nice year at AA where he hit 23/HR.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573027
The Indians did not protect Jesus Aguilar another 1B. He hit 23/HR last year and 15/HR this year but most of that was done in A or A+.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=542583
The Padres did not protect what looks to be like a decent hitting 2B over the last 2 seasons though not so much power in Jonathan Galvez. He though has only played 82 games above A+ at AA.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=527039
The Red Sox have a CF named Jeremy Hazelbaker that they left unprotected who hit .273/BA with 19/HR but that was in AA.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=571757
There were some arms that had solid seasons as well and left unprotected but I noticed a trend where a few of them seemed to be players that did so in A or A+ ball.
I was left with the impression that there were enough Aderlin type players left unprotected where the trend seemed to suggest this type of player is a good risk as to not being drafted.
Of course we won’t know until after the draft if indeed this will be the case.
Stick
11/26/2012-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
It seems like only a small handful any year actually get drafted and remain with the new team.
and Ad rod has a nice HR count, but other than that, seems to be very young and raw, with no skill that would help a ML team right now (such as blazing speed to pinch run, or a slick glove to be a defensive replacement).
i can’t even imagine how ugly his #s would be if he got regualr PT in the majors to start next year.
If the Mets system was not bereft of hitting prospects, and more so anyone with legit power, it would not be getting much mention.
though maybe the mets can grab one of those other guys!! Or a catcher. they need one of those…
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
If they did take a catcher they should consider the Yankees 19 year old Gary Sanchez and his bat.
He has only played as high as A+ but he had a decent year hitting a combined .290/BA, 18/HR, 85/RBI between A and A+. He even managed to steal 15 bases.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=596142
Stick
11/26/2012-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
is he actually unprotected and available in the rule 5? Can’t be at 19, right?
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
No I thought he was when I was ;looking through teams players yesterday and his name just stuck cause he was a catcher.
Stick
11/26/2012-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
maybe we can trade a 3B or a SP for him? Do we have any of those available?
NateW
11/26/2012-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
Can Kobernus play SS at all? It would seem difficult for the Mets to fit him and a glove first SS on the 25 man, since Justin Turner can’t be relied on for (anything) backup SS but will somehow still make the team.
TRS86
11/26/2012-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
Nate, I would guess no considering he’s only played 4 games there in his MILB career. Also, while his BA is ok his over all slashline is nothing special to say the least.
.282 .325 .333 .658 last year in AA and .279 .316 .356 .672 in 4 seasons.
Stick
11/26/2012-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
He’s no Emaus.
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
LoL
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
I think if you consider that he is said to have great range at 2b and a decent glove he could be hidden on the roster as a utility type player shifting between 2b and ss.
TRS86
11/26/2012-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
NJ my concern is why hasn’t he played much SS in the minors? Of course there are many reasons why that could be the case but to me it sends up a flag.
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
I understand. I am just looking at what he can do rather than what he can’t. I see a kid that has incredible speed and seems to be a good glove at 2b that if you put him in during the latter innings of a game along with say Tejada, Davis and Wright in the infield there is a chance for a very good defensive infield.
wanny
11/26/2012-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t imagine him sticking as long as Justin Turner is around to back up at 2B.
I see very little chance that he will hit enough to justify even a few at bats.
I like the idea of Fields, though. He seemed to have gotten his control issues worked out last season.
I would be surprised if Sandy didn’t pluck a guy or two in the rule 5 to take a look during spring training.
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
Hence why the Nats most likely left him unprotected. They are valid points all regarding why he would most likely not be taken. I just find the idea of a speedy young 2B with great range somewhat interesting as a Rule 5 pickup.
wanny
11/26/2012-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
I hadn’t heard of the Aguilar guy before but he certainly seems like he’s worth a shot. Not usual that a Futures Game guy is available. Bats right handed, could definitely see some time if he has a good spring, filling in for Ike or pinch hitting for one of the various lefties. Strikes out a lot but also takes his walks. Could be a Sandy type guy.
Might even be worth stashing him on the DL with a phantom injury.
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-3:11pm at 3:11 pm (UTC -4)
I missed that he was also a Futures game selection. I found it interesting that Struck was named the Cubs Pitcher of the year but still left unprotected.
Mr North Jersey
11/26/2012-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
Wanny, I came across this as well regarding Aguilar. It’s not much but just something to note.
He was ranked the Indians 9th best prospect by B.A. 2 weeks ago and was picked as the Best Power Hitter in the Indians org.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2013/2614318.html
wanny
11/26/2012-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
seems like a guy to take a flier on in spring training with little risk.
interesting that they project jason kipnis to play LF in 2016 for cleveland.
Mike Kennedy
11/27/2012-3:18pm at 3:18 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting article and nice website.
Do we, as Mets fans, assume that the front office does their due dilligence and knows about these players? Either I forgot the Mets didnt make a Rule 5 selection or didnt realize it. Why not?
Kobernus seems like he would immdeiately be our top 2B prospect. And I guarantee taking a shot at Fields would be better than the ’12 bomb of Francisco/Rausch/insert worthless middle reliever here/.
Prismo
11/27/2012-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you for checking us out. I hope you can stick around for some good baseball discussion!
I think we can assume they do, indeed, do their due diligence. That doesn’t mean we’ll agree with their decision though.
Mike Kennedy
11/29/2012-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
I found your site from a link from Metsblog. You guys have a good thing going.
Metsblog, unfortunately is getting worse by the day and the comment section reads like it was written by a lot of middle school kids.
I look forward to following your site more closely. Question-how active and what type of articles are her during the season, and before/after game day? Thanks-Mike K.
kingman 26
11/29/2012-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Mike–Thanks for reading!
We do not post as many articles as Metsblog, but we strive for quality.
During the season, we try to have lineup posts and postgames just about every day, we cover just about any important Met-related issue, we have regular opinion pieces, and some unique features as well.
The offseason, as with any sports blog, can be spotty in terms of volume of articles, but please follow us in-season as I think you will be pleased.
Mr North Jersey
11/29/2012-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman, I sent you an email that when you have a chance can you look at it?
kingman 26
11/29/2012-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
Done Mr. N!
Thanks for asking and I will do this ANY TIME!
Signed,
Executive Editor Kingman
(Member of Met Blog Executive Editor Club; Matt Cerrone, President)
Prismo
11/29/2012-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
To be honest, the posts themselves are secondary at RDM, in my opinion. (an opinion which may very well not be shared by the entire community)
I’d be lying if I didn’t say many of the posts are excellent. Our authors do a great job providing opinions and analysis.
But (to me) the meat of RDM occurs in the comment sections where many intelligent die hard Mets fans debate everything about the team on the fly. I think this is the smartest Mets community on the internet.
wanny
11/29/2012-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Regarding 2B prospects, I think Danny Muno may develop into a player. He’s a young guy who walks more than he whiffs. A good sign.
I still have hope for Havens too. It’s a matter of him staying on the field and that, of course, seems difficult for him.