The Mets have added six players to their 40 man roster, meaning that they will not be eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Those players are Zack Wheeler, Hansel Robles, Gonzalez Germen, Greg Burke, Darin Gorski, and Wilfredo Tovar.
Putting these prospects on the roster now ensures that they will not be selected in the Rule 5 draft, and leaves the roster at 39, meaning that the Mets could afford to select a player in the draft. Wheeler was an obvious player to add to the roster, considering that he is one of the best prospects, if not the best, prospect in the system. Robles spent the entire season in Single-A, posting a 1.11 ERA in 12 starts, so the club obviously thinks very highly of him as well. I don't see what the big deal is about Germen. He has been a sub-par starter for his entire minor league career and will probably develop into a decent #4 or #5 pitcher at best. Burke was recently signed on a minor league deal, and it is surprising to see him on the roster. His minor league stats are okay, but since the Mets have such a lack of bullpen depth, I suppose he'll find some playing time that will help prove that he is ready for the major leagues. Gorski had a career year in 2011, posting a 2.08 ERA in 27 Single-A appearances (21 of which were starts.) However, he didn't have as much success in 2012 as a Double-A starter, and at age 25, his chance of making the major leagues could be thinning out. Tovar has been a coveted prospect by the Mets' organization for quite a bit of time now, and we are all waiting for him to have a breakout season. His upside is keeping him on the roster, not his minor league stats. 
Keeping players off the 40 man roster during the Rule 5 draft is a risky move, and it sometimes ends up being very costly. Notable Rule 5 picks in baseball consist of Joakim Soria, Dan Uggla, and even Roberto Clemente. I am very surprised that the Mets left off Aderlin Rodriguez, whose upside and improvement in 2012 definitely opened some eyes. He'll probably get claimed, because he is still extremely young and could be ready within the next two years or so.
Overall it will be interesting to see what the Mets do in the Rule 5 draft. Two seasons ago, they picked up Pedro Beato, who was a so-so addition in the bullpen. He was eventually shipped to Boston in the Shoppach deal a few months ago. I recall the Mets selecting a young second baseman named Brad Emaus as well. That certainly didn't pan out, so hopefully Alderson isn't over-ally active in the draft, and I have a hunch that he is going to claim one player and call it a day.
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