3 NY Mets players who made the Opening Day lineup and were quickly cut from the team

3) Brad Emaus

Brad Emaus brings us to a slightly different example. He had been the property of the Toronto Blue Jays. Emaus performed well in the minor leagues with a career batting average of .276. After a solid showing in spring training 2010 for the Blue suggested he could possibly become a major league player.

For some reason, the Blue Jays left him off of their 40-man roster. This made him available to the Rule 5 draft. Players who are not currently on their team's 40-man roster are eligible to be selected by another team in the Rule 5 draft. The Mets chose Emaus in the first round. Emaus had to remain on the Mets 25-man active roster for the duration of 2011, or else be offered back to the Blue Jays. Emaus was in the Opening Day lineup, making his major league debut on April 1.

Emaus’ Major League career was short-lived. After hitting only .162 in his first 14 games, the Mets decided that he was not their answer at second base after all. On April 19, the Mets designated Emaus for assignment. He passed through waivers and was sent back to Toronto. On April 21, The Blue Jays traded Emaus to Colorado. In 2012 he was traded to Boston followed by a return to the Mets minor leagues. From the Opening Day lineup to out of baseball at age 26. The dream is over.