Adam Rubin

  (1:00 PM)

Thanks for joining me. We'll go about a half-hour today. Then I need to jump in my car and head to Citi Field.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

What do you think about the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Citi Field in Flushing,NY?

Adam Rubin

  (1:01 PM)

It will be a nice event for the city. Can't say it's actually a surprise. We've literally known about this since before the 2008 game at Yankee Stadium, when the NY teams both were promised games -- the Yankees in the final year of their old stadium, and the Mets in the new building.

Greg Adler (Philadelphia)

Hey Adam, What're the chances the Mets go after Hamels if they're 2 or 3 out of the wildcard going into the all star game?Thanks

Adam Rubin

  (1:02 PM)

Not happening. I can't imagine the Mets are serious buyers for anybody, with the exception of potentially tinkering at the margins. They've devoted attention to bulking up farm system and concentration on within. Hard to believe they would turn around then and trade Zack Wheeler.

PK (Beacon)

Adam, I though TC did a great job last night addressing the situation. Bobby O thought he was too candid explaining why he took Wright out, but I think it is very refreshing to not just get the old "it was wet out" answer. The only thing Terry could have answered differently was when he was asked how does this effect things down the road, he could have answered in an 8-0 ballgame you must protect your assets. How do you think he handled the situation?

Adam Rubin

  (1:03 PM)

I think he handled it well. And I appreciate candor. It's funny. Terry really is old school. But he's also practical. He wasn't going to go for an eye-for-an-eye if it meant Wright taking one and, even if the odds were remote, potentially losing him to an injury. He'll deal with it in September when the Mets go to Milwaukee, if it comes up then.

Mike (PA)

Am I being reasonable in saying that I honestly think the Mets will be a true playoff contender in two years? If they secure Wright long-term, Ike comes around and we have young guys improving like Kirk, Harvey, Wheeler, Tejada, etc?

Adam Rubin

  (1:04 PM)

I would definitely hope within two years. By then, you'll have a better picture of what Wheeler, Harvey and Familia are. And the $31 million owed to Santana next year (with 2014 buyout) and Bay (if he doesn't vest) will be off the books, freeing up money for free agents to supplement the internal players.

Jc (Fort Myers, FL)

Afternoon Adam. I think Its obvious the fans want David back, Collins wants him back, and Alderson has finally had a chance to see what he can do healthy. So going on that do you think David would accept a contract offer similar to Zimmerman or would it behoove him to just test FA?

Adam Rubin

  (1:05 PM)

I see Zimmerman's as the definite comp. There's no question in my mind David will get six years and at least $100M on top of what he already has through 2013.

Will (Fla.)

Adam how far away is C.Young from pitching for Mets again? Has he been looking good in rehab starts and how do you think he'll perform on return? Thanks

Adam Rubin

  (1:07 PM)

He pitched again today. 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings for Class A St. Lucie. But you can't tell anything from those numbers alone. The plan was to move him to Triple-A Buffalo for his next start. I can see two starts with the Bisons, then being promoted to the major league rotation. At least Miguel Batista's seven scoreless innings -- temporarily -- reduced the urgency to get Young hurriedly ready. Young has a contract out on June 1. I'm not saying he'll exercise that, but dates like that are not coincidences. So I'm sure that's about the date, barring an issue, he'll be with the Mets.

Alex (CT)

With Mejia looking pretty solid in some tune up games for St. Lucie, do you think he will be placed into the bullpen when he is ready for the Mets? Or do you see him being in the starting rotation for Buffalo?

Adam Rubin

  (1:09 PM)

I don't know if his next outing will be as a starter or reliever, but I was told point-blank that the plan is to soon look at him as a reliever. If Mejia contributes in the majors this year, I've long believed it would be as a reliever. Many believe that will be his long-term home, too. Still, Paul DePodesta told me in spring training to look at what the Rangers so. I presume he was talking about Alexi Ogando and Neftali Feliz. Introduced to majors relievers, then made starters again. (Although Ogando back in pen.)

Mick (LI)

Any chance the Mets are fabricating the paid attendance numbers to make them look respectable?

Adam Rubin

  (1:11 PM)

Since MLB went to paid rather than actual attendance years and years ago, you can almost discount the figures everywhere. The Phillies announce sellouts with sections open.In the past with the Mets you could dismiss attendance inflation as, well, that's the season-ticket base -- even if no one showed up, they could still announce 20,000 paid. I really don't know how little a ticket costs before it's not counted. Did those buy-one-get-one-free games count as two tickets sold? I suspect yes. But in reality one was a freebie.

Steve (California)

How big do you think All-Star game will be for Fred's finances?

Adam Rubin

  (1:12 PM)

I don't think All-Star Games are big money makers for teams. It's an MLB event. But I'm not positive. Certainly there's an economic impact for the city, though.

Steve (California)

Have you heard anything about who the Mets might be looking for in next month's draft? College arm (Wacha) or high ceiling HS bat (Russell, Hawkins)?

Adam Rubin

  (1:13 PM)

Baseball America's latest issue has the Mets "strongly linked" to three players: HS shortstop Gavin Cecchini, HS OF Courtney Hawkins and Texas A&M RHP Michael Wacha.It's not something I honestly concentrate on.

KD (New Brunswick, NJ)

Is there any inclination that Ike will be sent down to the minors if he doesn't start hitting soon?

Adam Rubin

  (1:14 PM)

Stood by him this far. Not seeing it barring a disastrous few weeks upcoming.

Elliot Santiago (Tampa, FL)

Is there a chance of Jenrry Mejia pitches for the Mets this season??

Adam Rubin

  (1:14 PM)

Yes. And I bet it's in the bullpen.

Gary (Connecticut)

Adam, do you think Daniel Murphy is worthy of all star consideration?

Adam Rubin

  (1:16 PM)

If he keeps hitting like this, and with staples like Chase Utley injured, I don't see why he shouldn't get consideration. As long as it's based on offense. Here's a look at NL 2B: http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting/_/position/2b/league/nl Altuve with the Astros certainly is doing well. Omar Infante, too.

Steve (California)

What's the deal with Colling McHugh? He's 25, had almost 30 starts at AA over the last two years with an ERA of about 2 and a WHIP of about 1, and he can't get called up to AAA? Shouldn't he be starting in Buffalo over Olson? Heck, shouldn't he have started the season there over Harvey?

Adam Rubin

  (1:17 PM)

No rush. There's nothing wrong with having success. I listed him as my ultimate sleep among 13 farmhands who could appear in the majors this season. I still see him as a major league reliever. I know one team came very, very close to taking him in the Rule 5 draft last December.

Steve (California)

When I first heard Alderson's comments on Thole, I was afraid he might be done for the year - but your latest update sounded way better. Any chance he is back in two weeks?

Adam Rubin

  (1:17 PM)

Two weeks sounds reasonable. Assmuing he gets the official word today he's cleared, he's not jumping right back into games. They'll take it slowly. Four concussions since 2007 is a little scary.

Izzat (Cleveland)

Since the Mets get an all star game in their new stadium, will the Yankees get one in their new stadium soon also?

Adam Rubin

  (1:18 PM)

Deal was Yankee Stadium got theirs to close their old ballpark in 2008. I'm sure they'll get in line for their new stadium, too, but it's not going to be for a while, in all likelihood.

Jordan (Niles, Michigan)

Who wins the NL East?

Adam Rubin

  (1:19 PM)

I picked the Nats to reach the World Series during spring training. No reason for me to change my NL East prediction based on what I've seen so far.

David (Boston)

Adam, with the time missed, what are the chances of Bay activating that option? Forget the actual numbers but given his history with the Mets being injury prone, it looks like it's not a certainty it vests -thanks.

Adam Rubin

  (1:20 PM)

He probably won't vest for 2014 now. He's not going to get to 500 plate appearances this year, so now he'll need 600 plate appearances next season for the contract to vest. That's pretty easy to manipulate even if he's a regular player. Just sitting a couple of times a month gets him off that track.

Steve (California)

Best (long term) surprises of the Mets system so far this year? I've been floored by the results Tapia and Fulmer are putting up in Savannah.

Adam Rubin

  (1:20 PM)

Domingo Tapia is the one everyone talks about.

Joe B (Trumbull, CT)

When will they retire number 31???

Adam Rubin

  (1:20 PM)

Newsday reported a while back that after his Hall of Fame selection. He's eligible for the first time next offseason.

Jer (Staten Island)

Sounds like Bay is 10 days to 2 weeks away. Have you given any thought to what their corresponding roster move would be. Sounds like they want to keep Kirk also. Does that mean the move would involve Hairston or Baxter. Or perhaps a move of someone to 1st and Ike to the minors

Adam Rubin

  (1:22 PM)

Injuries always happen. Hard to see them going to six relievers, but even that's got to be on the table, I suppose. Terry says Bay will be a semi-regular player, but Kirk will get playing time soon. So Duda can sit against some lefties, Bay can sit once a week against a righty, and Torres can sit once a week too. That makes it work for four roster spots. Certainly Mike Baxter would have been the obvious choice going into the season in such as a scenario, but he's over .500 now as a pinch hitter, so you cannot do that.

Ryan (NY)

Do you think Wright showed up his manager yesterday?

Adam Rubin

  (1:23 PM)

No. I think he showed intensity about wanting to stay in a game. He's so PC, he regretted acting in public view. But I'll take that passion any time. Players fighting to compete is what you want. And managers wanting to protect their players is a good thing, too. No fault.

Dave (NJ)

What's the latest thinking when Bay comes back? If they sit Duda, Kirk or Torres for Bay the fans may storm the field.

Adam Rubin

  (1:24 PM)

Bay is still in NY today. I'm sure he'll go slowly. We're probably a couple of weeks away, best case.

Steve (California)

I'm a Mets fan, but I would like to say for the record that Carrasco's actions last night were bush league. You are mad someone hit a HR off you, and now one of your batters has to pay a price for it?!?

Adam Rubin

  (1:25 PM)

For the record, he denies it. Interestingly, though, Collins said the ump had every right to toss Carrasco. And Wright said it would be handled in the clubhouse whether Carrasco did it on purpose, since it exposed teammates to retribution. So there seemed to be some doubt even in the Mets' clubhouse with the accidental claim.

Steve (California)

I'm sure they won't come out and say this, but even the Mets are floored by what Santana has given them so far, right?

Adam Rubin

  (1:25 PM)

I believe so. Most people are.

Steve (California)

One note on Murphy - advanced stats aren't real high on him this year. Most ABs on the team, only 0.3 WAR. Kirk is over 1.0, and Wright is an unreal 2.3!

Adam Rubin

  (1:25 PM)

My eyes just glazed over.

Steve (California)

Adam, ever hear anything about more on Nimmo not making a full season team? Seems like that was the plan, and then next thing you know he is left behind.

Adam Rubin

  (1:26 PM)

He's expected to go to Brooklyn next month is all I know.

Rob (MD)

When Bay comes back, does Terry Collins go to a true 4 OF rotation? They can definitely get by on 4-5 starts per week each, based on matchups.

Adam Rubin

  (1:26 PM)

I imagine that'll have to be how it works, with Scott Hairston really seeing diminished time and being more of a righty pinch hitter than anything.

Elliot Santiago (Tampa, FL)

Chances of David Wright resigning??

Adam Rubin

  (1:26 PM)

Very good for re-signing. It could wait until next offseason, but I now firmly believe it'll happen eventually.

Ryan (NY)

Braun has already been hit 5 times this year. Do you think teams are targeting him because they're mad he cheated and still beat the system?

Adam Rubin

  (1:28 PM)

I asked the Brewers writers. The Cubs hit him twice over the weekend, and they thought it was more of a Brewers-Cubs feud than anything targeting him because of beating the rap. And D.J. said the umpire tossed him because he had just given up the homer.

Steve (California)

I'd just like to say for the record, the Mets handling of Mejia has been horrendous. Last asministration stunted his development & burned up his options to have him as the 8th reliever, and now this group is going to make him a reliever again in Buffalo? Whatever happened to letting a guy start until he fails??

Adam Rubin

  (1:29 PM)

You're on the record. Certainly the last administration was in job-preservation mode and did Mejia a disservice.

james (pearl river)

if Ike is still hitting below .200 by june 1st is it a strong possibilty that they could send him down.

Adam Rubin

  (1:30 PM)

I'll give you that it's a possibility in that scenario.

Adam Rubin

  (1:30 PM)

Anyway, need to head to Citi Field. Thanks for joining me for the past half-hour.