The New York Mets chose not to add any of their minor leaguers to the 40-man roster ahead of Friday’s 5 PM EST deadline, leaving a handful of notable names unprotected heading into next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

Per MLB’s Rule 5 Draft glossary entry:

“[…] The Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs. Clubs draft in reverse order of the standings from the previous season. Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their club’s 40-Man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players who signed at age 19 or older need to be protected within four seasons.

As Jacob Resnick outlined on Friday for Mets Minors, without any of their upper-echelon talent meeting the threshold to require Rule 5 protection, the Mets were expected to remain quiet at the deadline — and they did.

There are a number of talented Mets prospects available for the taking if other teams are so inclined, including former top prospect Shervyen Newton (also left unprotected in 2019), third baseman Will Toffey (acquired in the trade that sent Jeurys Familia to Oakland in 2018), right-hander Tony Dibrell, and shortstop Wilmer Reyes, who shone at Mets instructional camp earlier this year.

Another player who was left unprotected and will be Rule 5-eligible for the first time is outfielder Tim Tebow.

Per Resnick, the Mets also submitted a 38-man Triple-A reserve list on Friday, leaving Wilfred Astudillo, Cody Bohanek (acquired with J.D. Davis via Houston in 2018), and 36 other players unprotected, “meaning they can be taken in the minor league phase [of the Rule 5 draft]” for a $24,000 fee (as opposed to the $100,000 MLB fee) and without the “right to re-claim if selected”.

We’ll keep you posted with new developments as the Dec. 10 Rule 5 Draft approaches.