Off-Topic: Mets Rejects

So I’m looking at the rosters of the teams whose seasons are continuing — i.e., playing in the postseason — and I notice there are a number of players who were dumped by the Mets since Opening Day 2009.

Here is the list of recent Mets rejects going to the playoffs:

Brian Schneider (Phillies)
Wilson Valdez (Phillies)
Jeff Francoeur (Rangers)
Darren O’Day (Rangers)
Billy Wagner (Braves)

Other former Mets in the postseason include Darren Oliver, Nelson Cruz, Dan Wheeler, A.J. Burnett, Royce Ring, Drew Butera, and Guillermo Mota. I’m not sure if you can count Yorvit Torrealba. Did I miss anyone?

Also of note, Bengie Molina and Orlando Hudson — two free agents highly coveted by the Mets last winter — are both in the playoffs.

Not sure what this means, if anything. It’s probably useless information. But we will see familiar faces for the next few weeks, and it will be annoying if Brian Schneider hits a game-winning homer in the NLDS, for example.

Which former Met would you be most annoyed — or most happy — to see do something great in the 2010 postseason? Comment below.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
  1. Kevin October 3, 2010 at 10:53 pm
    IF GUILLERMO MOTA DOES ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE IN THE PLAYOFFS I WILL BE SOOO PISSED!!!!!
  2. Kevin October 3, 2010 at 10:54 pm
    I would also be very happy if Darren Oliver does well…….he is a tank!
  3. Greg from Brooklyn October 3, 2010 at 11:54 pm
    If you put all of those REJECTS back on the Mets……we wouldn’t be any better…that’s why most of them are gone..because they sucked as Mets.

    Brian Schneider!?!? I’m sure hes responsible for Philly getting into the playoffs

    Some Met “fans” just love kicking themselves in the ass.

  4. murph October 4, 2010 at 12:20 am
    Greg from Brooklyn:
    I think this post was intended more as an amusing tid-bit type of article rather than lamenting that the Mets let these guys go.

    I will root for Darren Oliver.
    In this case, the Mets are somewhat responsible for the revival of his career. He was a 35-year old washed up starter trying out for the Mets in spring training on ’06. When he didn’t crack the rotation, he considered retiring, but the Mets offered him a spot in the bullpen.
    He re-invented himself as a dependable reliever and will be going to the post-season for the 5th year in a row.

  5. Greg from Brooklyn October 4, 2010 at 9:04 am
    Murph.

    My bad…I’m just a die hard mets fan who has become sick at how the Miniya administration, despite budgets of over $100 million for 5 years basically blew it.

    I too will root for Darren Oliver.

    • Mike October 4, 2010 at 9:39 am
      Oh you are? What’s that like? I’m glad I’m completely satisfied with how everything has turned out under Omar.