Fringe 40-man roster guys are players that Sandy has a history of moving. In 2015 we witnessed him moving Luis Cessa, Casey Meisner, John Gant, Robert Whalen, and Cory Mazzoni from this group. Getting value for these players is the kind of forward thinking that improves the roster without long term consequence to the organization. They may not land the impact star player like a Jonathan Lucroy, but the Kelly Johnson and Tyler Clippard types help you win ball games.

With only six pending FA: Neil Walker, Bartolo Colon, James Loney, Alejandro De Aza, Kelly Johnson, and Jerry Blevins (not counting Yoenis Cespedes) There isn’t a lot of room for the fringe guys when you consider Amed Rosario and Gavin Cecchini also need to be added, and are definitely not fringe guys. (Side note: Wuilmer Becerra would fall into this category for me, even with the surgery)

Not all of the guys eligible for the rule 5 are worthy of being protected, either due to distance, injury, or talent. In previous rule 5 drafts, pitchers, catchers, middle infielders, and players with a standout tool are generally selected. There are a few players among the fringe that fall into these categories:

The Taylor Featherston category:

So named for a Colorado middle infielder who hadn’t played above AA prior to his selection by the Angels in the 2014 Rule 5 draft.

Jeff McNeil: An infielder who has hit well when healthy and bulked up this previous off-season. An oblique injury has kept him on the shelf most of this season.

L.J. Mazzilli: Another MI who plays everywhere, he has twice been suspended for recreational drugs hindering his development as he has been passed by younger guys. He does have a professional approach at the plate does the little things well.

Phillip Evans: Another MI with the Binghamton Mets who has had an outstanding season once he was promoted to AA. He has logged games at 2B, SS, and 3B this season.

The Jason Garcia category:

Named for the AA Red Sox pitcher selected by the Astros (and traded/sold to the Orioles). He is currently back in AA for the O’s after a moderately successful 2015

Ricky Knapp: Knapp has pitched at three levels this year, having had a single successful start at both AA and AAA. His 2.14 ERA in St. Lucie is second among qualified starters in High-A.

Chris Flexen: The hard throwing righty is in his first full season back from TJS, and has reached a career high in innings. Has touched 97 this year and has a solid breaking ball. 

Marcos Molina: His stuff is tantalizing, and despite recovering from TJS he has made or just missed a few Mets top ten prospect lists. If he were healthy and one were to assume continued growth, he would be in the conversation among the top 100 prospects in the game. Really isn’t a fringe guy, but the injury makes the decision tough. 

Corey Oswalt: Projectable 6’5” right-handed pitcher in St. Lucie currently striking out a batter an inning.

The Andrew McKirahan category:

McKirahan, having never started a minor league game, was a AA relief pitcher selected out of the Cubs organization by the Atlanta Braves in the 2014 Rule 5 draft.

Kevin McGowan: Recently selected as the #49 ranked prospect among by MMN. The righty with a mid-90s FB has become one of Pedro Lopez go to guys in the B-Mets bullpen. 

Tim Peterson: Another relief pitcher in the revamped B-Mets bullpen. He has a 10.9k/9 in AA. 

Tyler Bashlor Having missed all of 2014 and 2015, and currently in Low-A, Bashlor is slightly behind the others on this list. He also may have the best stuff among the bunch.

The Oscar Hernandez category:

So named for the A-Ball catcher selected by the Diamondbacks first overall in the 2014 Rule 5 draft.

Tomas Nido: There may be no other player who has seen his stock rise in the Mets organization more than Nido. He has improved his defense while rounding out his offensive game.

The Delino DeSheilds Jr category:

Selected by the Rangers in the 2014 Rule 5 draft, DeShields has one tool and it grades as plus plus…

Champ Stuart: Another prospect that was recently named among the top 50 by MMN. His plus-plus speed can make the difference in a short series.

Other notable, though probably not as valuable, names that are Rule 5 eligible this coming off-season include:

1B/3B Matt Oberste, OF Patrick Biondi, RHP Robert Coles, OF John Mora, LHP Paul Paez, RHP Scarlyn Reyes, 1B/3B Jhoan Urena, RHP Nabil Crismatt, INF Franklin Correa

Other players who face roster decisions and may have some value with upside to a rebuilding team include three pending minor league free-agents:

RHP Rainy Lara, RHP Domingo Tapia, LHP Alberto Baldonado

While none of the players would be considered a top prospect or be a centerpiece for the offensive spark-plug the team needs. They will be the players considered for the often talked about middle relief help like Joe Smith or Daniel Hudson.

They could also be integral in landing the sixth starter/long man like Brad Hand or Hector Santiago. (Though the recent escalation in SP prices may push their price into actual prospect range.)

These would also be the types of players Sandy and company would look to move to improve the bench, (hello Jon Jay, Jake Marisnick). They also can be the throw-in/final pieces for the larger deals like the never dying Lucroy rumor, or the ever expensive Steve Pearce. 

While the list above is not definitive nor locks to be added they also don’t include those fringe guys currently on the 40; namely fan favorite whipping boy Eric Campbell, even Rafael Montero, and Matt Reynolds could fall into this category.