Adam Rubin

  (11:57 AM)

Thanks for joining me. We're getting close to spring training. Mets pitchers and catchers officially report Feb. 15, but the Port St. Lucie complex is opening to early arrivals beginning Monday. On to the questions ...

Michael C. (Westport, CT)

Where's Backman going to be this season?

Adam Rubin

  (11:58 AM)

Wally Backman will manage Double-A Binghamton, although it has not been announced. Tim Teufel is rising to Triple-A Buffalo.

Keith W (Phillipsburg NJ) [via mobile]

What's the latest word on Oliver Perez?

Adam Rubin

  (11:59 AM)

Oliver Perez has been pitching in Mexico. The overall numbers aren't pretty. Nearly a walk an inning. He was pulled from his last start after only two-plus innings. His lefty-on-lefty numbers aren't terrible, and his only role with the Mets would be as a situational lefty. But you have to believe releases may very well be coming for Ollie and Luis Castillo during spring training.

Billy (Boston)

Adam, planning our move to LI soon and looking at Bellmore-Merrick area. Any suggestions? Mepham or JFK or Calhoun? North or South of Sunrise? And whats the best place to grab a bite in the town(s)?

Adam Rubin

  (11:59 AM)

E-mail me at adam.rubin@espn.com.

Bill (Boston)

I know most Met fans will never get over Yadi Molina, but was there any discussion on bringing Aaron Heilman back this offseason and give him a chance to compete for the rotation? Seems like as good of a gamble as anyone in their price range; he's a model of health, which if nothing else would be something attractive to this pitching staff, and could be the great motivator to get Aaron back on track. I was never on the "Start Heilman" bandwagon the first time around, but these are different times. Thanks.

Adam Rubin

  (12:02 PM)

I have not heard any dialogue about Heilman, but his dual degrees from Notre Dame would fit in well with the Mets. I doubt he would sign with the Mets, even if there were interest. And now with Chris Young and Chris Capuano on board, I'd doubt he'd see the Mets as a viable place to start. If healthy, you have those two, plus Dickey, Pelfrey and Niese to start the year. And then Santana comes back in June/July, in all likelihood. People may not remember, though: The spring training Heilman "competed" with Brian Bannister for a rotation spot, he actually pitched very, very well. He had gone to winter ball that offseason as a starter, and felt deceived by the organization -- like they were saying he could have a chance to start because they figured there was no way he would actually earn the role, which he did.

Bill (Boston)

Any more moves coming? Another LH reliever maybe (Byrdak, Beimel, Mahay, Hendrickson, or even a Clay Rapada on a mnl deal)? Lesser name OFer to compete with Fast Willie?

Adam Rubin

  (12:03 PM)

I wouldn't discount another minor league deal or two, but with Chris Young, Willie Harris and Taylor Tankersley, they have added one each of the three needs Sandy Alderson acknowledged to me last week were left: starting pitcher, backup outfielder and left-handed reliever.

Jose (Santa Ana Ca.)

Adam,Why do the Mets insist on hitting Beltran fourth, when he does NOT have the big power anymore. Why not hit him second and take advantage of his good OBP?

Adam Rubin

  (12:04 PM)

Who's to say he doesn't have big power any more? When the knee was bothering him, it might have been difficult to really push off. It's probably partially designed so that you're not lining up too many lefties or righties. He's a switch-hitter, whereas No. 3 Wright and No. 5 Bay are righties.

Jose (Santa Ana Ca.)

With Santana starting to throw already, is there a chance he could come nack sooner than expected?

Adam Rubin

  (12:06 PM)

I don't know that he actually has thrown yet. Actually, I don't think he has. The Mets announced it as he's been cleared to throw BEFORE SPRING TRAINING, not he's been cleared to throw now. Originally, he was supposed to pick up a baseball in late January. Then I heard early January. Now it appears back to late January or even early February. So I imagine the June/July timetable still holds. I will caution, however, that no one expects the vintage Santana during the second half of this season. It usually takes time to come back from shoulder surgery, even for someone of Santana's pedigree.

Elvin (New York)

Adam don't you think the Mets would've been better off signing a proven starter.

Adam Rubin

  (12:07 PM)

Yes, but proven costs more money. Capuano signed for only $1.5 million assured, with the ability to make another $3 million in incentives. I have to assume Chris Young is in that vicinity as well.

Joe (NJ)

Do you honestly think the Wilpons will be ok with eating ollie and castillo's contracts? And what do you think the chances of them actually being released are?

Adam Rubin

  (12:08 PM)

They say they're OK with it. And fans will see through it if they don't at this point. I think it's fairly likely they both are released in spring training.

Frankie M. (New Rochelle, NY)

Who would you choose to be the 4 or 5 bench players out of spring training?

Adam Rubin

  (12:10 PM)

Well, at this point Paulino and Chin-lung Hu are fairly safe bets. And you have to believe Willie Harris wins the fourth outfield job, even if he's on a minor league contract. If you assume Castillo is released and Justin Turner is optioned to Buffalo, that leaves the non-starter from Daniel Murphy and Rule 5 pick Brad Emaus as the fourth bench player. A righty bat for the bench like a Nick Evans, who is out of options, could round it out. But we'll see. I presume the Mets would go with a seven-man bullpen and five-man bench, but no one has officially said that.

rangersnhl (warwick ny)

will the get mets a relif picher and who

Adam Rubin

  (12:12 PM)

I don't know that there's any addition who will be better at this point. If you analyze the bullpen, you probably have K-Rod, Parnell, Buchholz, D.J. Carrasco, a lefty reliever (Taylor Buchholz at this point), a long man (Pat Misch perhaps) and one more spot. Manny Acosta is out of options, so I suppose it could be him. Or there's Rule 5 pick Pedro Beato or, outside chance, Ryota Igarashi, who is back in camp as a non-roster invitee after clearing waivers.

Happy G. (Waterbury, CT)

Given the shaky state of the rotation even with Young, is it possible the Mets might be looking for one more starter?

Adam Rubin

  (12:13 PM)

Don't know for sure, but you do have Dillon Gee in reserve then. And guys like Carrasco or Misch, can start, I suppose, in an emergency. There's Boof Bonser, too, lest I forget.

Michael (Freehold, NJ)

Based on the current Mets roster, as it stands, do you think the team will have an improved record over last year? Is it even possible to consider they may make the playoffs? Or is this just a rebuilding year?

Adam Rubin

  (12:16 PM)

I think the record will be about the same--flirting with .500. Someone with the organization yesterday asked me what I thought, particularly regarding the new player additions. I texted him: "For the prices, all solid -- and a lot of smarter guys, which hopefully means fundamentally sound. You'll be at a competitive disadvantage talent-wise, but it's not hopeless. And if it takes a season to get on track truly, so be it." He texted back: "You are right on. I feel the same way."

Matt (New York)

Why did Sandy put in writing that "we do have money to spend" when clearly the team's actions this winter seem to contradict that?

Adam Rubin

  (12:17 PM)

My experience has been the very opposite. He's been up front saying there's not a lot of money to spend.

Victor (Tampa)

Washington seems to be in on everything are Mets going to end up 4th in the NL East?

Adam Rubin

  (12:17 PM)

Neck-and-neck with the Nats for fourth, very possibly.

Danel Cotty (Raleigh,NC)

last year the perez said he will not report to Triple A. if we have him under contract why couldnt we just send him there an if he doesnt report cut him an not pay him. we have him under contract. an the same goes with Luis Castillo.is there something in there contracts saying they can not be designated for assignment?Thanks

Adam Rubin

  (12:18 PM)

Oliver Perez, because of his major league service time, cannot be sent to the minors without his consent. That's in the collective bargaining agreement between the players union and MLB. Selfish on Oliver's part? If you have a certain point of view, you can argue that. But it's his right. So the Mets, if Ollie says no to the minors, can cut him loose and pay him, or keep him on the major league roster.

Bill L (ny, ny)

why don't they give gee a real shot at the rotation. what do they have to lose this year?

Adam Rubin

  (12:20 PM)

Given the fragility of the new additions to the pitching staff, I don't doubt Gee will have some impact this year. That said, when I mentioned to an executive with another NL team that Young was signing with the Mets and that likely pushes Gee to Triple-A, the exec responded: "Gee would have been crushed as a starter -- he's more of a 4A emergency type for me." Just one person's opinion, but from a pretty successful organization.

Bobby B (Louisiana)

Not to be negative, but who plays short if Reyes goes down again?

Adam Rubin

  (12:20 PM)

Yes. Hu.

Len (Deer Park)

I think Brad Emaus will take over at 2b. Who do you feel will be the second basemen on OD?

Adam Rubin

  (12:21 PM)

I really want to see this in spring training before I handicap it. I'd never count out Murphy, though. He works very hard. Emaus does fit what the Mets want to be -- some pop, but more walks than strikeouts.

Andrew (Rumson, NJ)

It appears as Terry Collins could be trying to overcompensate for his weaknesses as a manager in terms of the one on one dynamic that resulted in his demise in Anaheim. I can't envision K-Rod throwin a spare while yukking it up with Terry and the boys...

Adam Rubin

  (12:21 PM)

I'm sure someone will be taking attendance and writing about it, just like the Walter Reed visit.

Mark (Lynbrook)

Had Mets shown any interest in either Grant Balfour or Brian Fuentes before BOTH signed with A's? Lack of an 8th inning RP is glaring, IMO

Adam Rubin

  (12:22 PM)

They did not seem inclined to spend that type for a reliever. Buchholz got a two-year, $2.4 million deal. And that seemed like that max amount they wanted to allot to that position.

rangersnhl (warwick ny)

are the mets a playoff team this year

Adam Rubin

  (12:23 PM)

Don't see it.

Jim (New Haven)

What do you think Dillon Gee's status is for this year? How many starts will he get this year and when?

Adam Rubin

  (12:24 PM)

Covered this a little, but I imagine at this point he opens the season at Triple-A Buffalo if things go as planned.

Sidd (Cranford)

Does Young require a move on the 40 man and if so who is likely to go?

Adam Rubin

  (12:25 PM)

I imagine Chris Young would only agree to a major league deal -- unless he's really benevolent and has a handshake, wink-wink agreement so that the Mets aren't forced to make a move. Scanning the 40-man roster, I can see Mike Nickeas or Jason Pridie getting designated if the Mets are resolved to tie up spots on Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo into spring training and Young gets the major league deal, which is what it should be.

Zuke (Portland) [via mobile]

Isn't it almost impossible for Alderson to go after a Pujois or another big fish in free agency given the recent contract history with Beltran, Ollie, K-Rod?

Adam Rubin

  (12:27 PM)

I haven't really weighed in on Pujols much, because I don't have a great sense of the front office yet. But part of me has a hard time envisioning the Mets devoting $30 million a seaosn for six, seven years to one player given their philosophies. But then, Pujols is Pujols. So I don't know.

doug (monte nido)

Any chance Rick Peterson returns to fill the role once held by Rick Waits ?

Adam Rubin

  (12:27 PM)

I had not checked on who got that job, but I can't imagine it was Rick Peterson.

Tony (Pt Jeff, NY)

Most Improved Team- Nats, Orioles, Brewers?? OR do you have another choice?

Adam Rubin

  (12:28 PM)

Can't say I followed their offseasons closely, but I have to say the Brewers. The pitching was woeful last year. Now, not so much.

Jc (Fort Myers Fl)

We all know the Phillies are the class of the division but how anyone can say a team is not going to be in the playoffs in Jan is dumb. If Roy Halladay and say Ryan Howard miss significant time this year couldn't the season be much different. We all know that if things work out as they should the Mets aren't a playoff team but its January ya never know what's going to happen.

Adam Rubin

  (12:30 PM)

OK. At best, Pelfey, Dickey and Pagan will duplicate last year's performances. You're subtracting Santana for the first half of the year, and underestimating the losses of Pedro Feliciano and Hisanori Takahashi. Bay probably gives you more, but anyone who tells me Beltran is now fine is a tad too optimistic for me. He felt fine during the winter? Great. Let's see his knee take the grind again. I'm not wishing anything bad, but he has an arthritic knee that forced him to stop at the end of last season. Why does anyone believe he'll now be able to play 140-150 games?

Matt (New York)

pretty sure Johan could be moved to 60 day DL...

Adam Rubin

  (12:31 PM)

I don't believe you can move anyone to the 60-day DL, or any DL, until Opening Day, or thereabouts. The Mets actually have 41 on the 40 now, but that's a special circumstances. Because K-Rod was on the disqualified list, he doesn't count against the 40 again until Opening Day.

andrew (centereach, NY)

dont they need kickeas for the first 8 games when paulino is suspended?

Adam Rubin

  (12:34 PM)

Without giving it much thought, if Nickeas remains, he's probably the one that breaks camp with the team, since he's already on the 40-man roster and would have options. Why have Dusty Ryan or Raul Chavez on the major league roster for eight games, then have to place him on waivers and risk losing him to send him to the minors once Paulino is done with his suspension? But Nickeas probably would go unclaimed. So you can do that anyway.

Sean (Chicago)

Can you explain what, if anything, the Mets got in compensation for the feliciano departure?

Adam Rubin

  (12:34 PM)

An extra pick between the first and second rounds.

Steve S. (Ithaca, NY)

I think that Taylor Bucholz got a one-year deal, Adam. Only Carrasco received a two-year contract.

Adam Rubin

  (12:36 PM)

You're correct. Carrasco was two years, $2.4 million. Typing quicker than my brain is going.

Chris (NY)

Mets are done signing players this offseason - agreed?

Adam Rubin

  (12:36 PM)

Don't know for sure, but I would think players of substance.

Mr. Met (Hampton, VA)

Any knowledge about the rumor (per Ted Berg) that Scott Hairston could possibly sign with the Mets?

Adam Rubin

  (12:38 PM)

I'm sure it's true if he wrote it. So perhaps they have another player too.

Matt D (London, England )

Hey Adam, I was just wondering if there's any truth that scott hairston signs with the mets

Adam Rubin

  (12:40 PM)

I'll try to find out.

Adam Rubin

  (12:41 PM)

Thanks for joining me. Check on the blog soon. If there's something to note, I'll put it there.