Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus won the starting job at second base by hitting .294 with an .831 OPS in 24 games this spring, but after playing poorly in 14 games to begin the season the Mets have decided to cut him loose.
Emaus, who got the Opening Day nod and started 10 of the first 16 games, went 6-for-37 (.162) with nine strikeouts and four walks in 42 plate appearances.
It seems odd to take him in the Rule 5 draft, hand him the starting job, and then ditch him three weeks later after fewer than than 50 plate appearances, but even the most optimistic projection for Emaus pegs him as merely a useful role player and that was far from guaranteed at age 25.
Justin Turner was called up from Triple-A to take Emaus’ spot on the roster, but Daniel Murphy figures to replace him as the primary second baseman despite hitting just .226 with a .649 OPS in 34 plate appearances of his own. Assuming he clears waivers, Emaus will be offered back to his original team, the Blue Jays.
