Adam Rubin

  (11:59 AM)

Thanks for joining me live from the Trop in St. Petersburg. Let's get started ...

Jack (Long Island)

Will Bay be released tomorrow?

Adam Rubin

  (11:59 AM)

No

Greg Adler (Philadelphia, PA)

Hey Adam,Do you think Bay has a chance of getting back to his previous dominant form? I feel like he has just flat lined at the performance level he is at.Thanks

Adam Rubin

  (11:59 AM)

No.

Max (NJ)

What could possibly be holding up the team from extending Dickey at this point?

Adam Rubin

  (12:00 PM)

Like with David Wright, he's under contract through next season with a 2013 team option. Dickey has been more assertive in wanting to do something now, but there's no harm in the organization observing a little longer.

Jim (SF)

How is Tejada progressing? What are the odds he's back by the end of June?

Adam Rubin

  (12:01 PM)

Faced pitching yesterday in Port St. Lucie. TC said he's due to jog today. Not expecting him back very soon. Turner and Cedeno should be back after the weekend. Turner begins rehab assignment tonight with Buffalo. Cedeno begins there tomorrow.

Ryan (NY)

Why is Collins wasting his time appealing the call from yesterday? Even if Wright fields that ball he isn't throwing Upton out

Adam Rubin

  (12:02 PM)

I think they're just going through the motions. Appeal is not going to change the ruling.

Josh (NYC)

With Mejia and Beato joining the bullpen soon, who loses their spot?

Adam Rubin

  (12:02 PM)

They've shown no inclination to have Beato at the major league level. As for Mejia, that's about 2 weeks away. Anything can happen before then. Hefner and Elvin Ramirez logically would be the least veteran and most vulnerable.

Jon (Midtown, NY)

What is Sandy Alderson going to do by the end of the trade deadline? Are their any relievers in particular he is looking at?

Adam Rubin

  (12:04 PM)

Not expecting much in the way of maneuvering -- certainly nothing that adversely affects the farm system. They could trade at the margins to add a reliever if they stay in it, but I'm not expecting anything headline-grabbing.

Sadiq (Elmhurst, NY)

Who's going to Kansas City in July from this team?

Adam Rubin

  (12:04 PM)

Terry Collins, R.A. Dickey and David Wright.

Scot (Washington, DC )

Bay's contract is pretty much dead money at this point. Anything he gives us at this point is gravy. What's the plan for LF going forward for the rest of this year, and with an eye toward 2013?

Adam Rubin

  (12:06 PM)

Duda is the RF. Kirk and Torres will platoon in CF, which means mostly Kirk. Bay has left field for now. Coming 2013, Matt den Dekker and Kirk can vie for CF conceivably, with Kirk perhaps being the one who shifts to LF. BUT -- Bay is under contract for 2013 at a hefty sum. So it's very possible we're going through this same current rotation next year and den Dekker is promoted midseason 2013.

Scot (Washington, DC )

This may be a ridiculous question, but here goes: do you think there's a possibility that the Mets would be open to another contract with Santana, at obviously fewer years at less money? Is there any sense on either side that he should end his career as a Met?

Adam Rubin

  (12:07 PM)

That's way off, since he's got to finish the current contract, which includes making $31 million next season with the 2014 buyout (since it's hard to foresee he gets to the innings threshold to vest). Sure, they could re-sign him. He likes it here. But it would have to be at a fraction of the current contract.

Steve (California)

den Dekker has been great - was leading EL in BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, Hs, Rs, 2Bs, and TBs when he was promoted. But does the fact he is a lefty work against him with this current team??

Adam Rubin

  (12:07 PM)

The fact that he's an outfielder in general works against him. I'm not positive we'll even see him in September, since he's not on the 40-man roster and they've been having trouble freeing spots.

Jeff (Bronx)

Any chance the Mets decide to send down Mike Nickeas and call up Rob Johnson,

Adam Rubin

  (12:08 PM)

You could certainly justify it. I was somewhat surprised when they opted for Nickeas over Johnson when Josh Thole came back.

Ryan (NY)

Any shot we can get Bobby Bonilla in LF over Jason Bay? He's still on the payroll and will be a better bang for your buck

Adam Rubin

  (12:08 PM)

Daniel Murphy might do a better job.

Sadiq (Elmhurst, NY)

Will I be able to see Brandon Nimmo this year at Brooklyn? Any other good prospects?

Adam Rubin

  (12:09 PM)

Haven't heard officially, but my understanding as of a week ago he was ticketed for Brooklyn, which opens next week.

Steve (California)

Saw the Mets had Wilmer Flores play 2B a few times this week. Any chance that's something they are considering long term?

Adam Rubin

  (12:10 PM)

My intuition is 3B is the preferred position. But if he's going to get promoted to Double-A Binghamton, which is warranted, the B-Mets have prospect Jefry Marte at 3B. So both are going to need to play multiple positions. Marte played a little 1B in the Arizona Fall League and has also taken grounders at 2B. So there's probably going to have to be some rotation with Reese Havens involved among the infielders.

Ryan (NY)

With Wheeler and MATT HARVEY looming, is it safe to assume that Pelfrey has thrown his last pitch as a Met?

Adam Rubin

  (12:12 PM)

Regardless, Pelfrey almost certainly has thrown his last pitch as a Met. He's making $5.7 million this year and is arbitration-eligible. That means the Mets have to non-tender him in December. Otherwise, he would have to make a comparable salary in 2013. Once non-tendered, Pelfrey can re-sign at any salary. But once non-tendered, Pelfrey is a free agent. And I foresee him getting a fresh start elsewhere.

Tom (seneca falls, ny)

Is it too early to start considering RA for the cy young?

Adam Rubin

  (12:12 PM)

No. But it's not too early to consider Strasburg, Matt Cain and Lance Lynn too. Plenty of baseball to go.

Jay Jac (Yorktown, NY)

From the business side, how concerned are the Mets with their attendance numbers? I'm going to the game tomorrow.

Adam Rubin

  (12:13 PM)

I'm not concerned. ... They're still not out of the woods cash-flow wise, which is why I do not expect wild spending the next couple of offseasons, beyond re-signing David Wright assuming that works out. It will be interesting to see with school out and the team likeable and competitive whether there is an uptick in attendance, which means revenue. ... Hey, and REO Speedwagon and Nick Carter performing tomorrow (the latter the national anthem, I believe). That's got to be a big draw, no?

Jon (NYC)

What do you make of the fact that the Mets have made up what seemed like a pretty substantial negative run differential (30 runs) in about 3 weeks? They're still outplaying their expected won-loss record over the course of the whole season, but their recent play suggests that they are a really good team. How to reconcile?

Adam Rubin

  (12:15 PM)

I think Pythagorean records are silly for the most part. If you're outscored, you should have a losing record. And if you're outscoring your opponents, you should have a winning record. And if the numbers don't correlate, maybe you got blown out a couple of times. ... I suppose it's supposed to mean that TC is going a good job if they have a winning record and are being outscored. (Which he is.) But it also can mean they have stinky long relief, so they're prone to get blown out rather than lose by two runs.

Jeff (Bronx)

Adam, What are the scouts that you are talking to saying about the guys the Mets drafted?

Adam Rubin

  (12:16 PM)

Don't really dabble with amateur draft too much. I wait until they get into the system. There are too many people all over the country to track. Once they get with a minor league team, it's easy to focus attention.

RJ (NYC)

You think Rauch is more hurt than he is letting on? He hasn't looked right the last few weeks

Adam Rubin

  (12:17 PM)

He said he's fine. He's told TC he's fine. I'm not sure he was extraordinary with the Blue Jays.

Steve (California)

Mets are an awful defensive team, and need to do anything they can to improve how well they catch the ball. I think you have to run with Kirk-Torres-Duda as much as possible in the OF...

Adam Rubin

  (12:17 PM)

Bay is fine on defense for the most part. It sounds like it's Kirk or Torres in CF for the most part now, which means mostly Kirk, since the Mets will see far more right-handed pitching.

Max (NJ)

What's keeping Wheeler at AA? Is this another confidence case or do they have specific reasoning (control issues)? He's been dominant, why not send him to the next level?

Adam Rubin

  (12:18 PM)

Because today is only his 11th Double-A start. What's the rush He's forcing them to move him quicker than they expected. Maybe soon. The original script was for the last month to six weeks in Triple-A, I believe.

Tom (Bronx)

Hey Adam,Wanted to know your thoughts on Familia? Watched him on SNY this past week and I think we can all see he has a nasty fastball as well as curveball. Do you think he is still destined for the bullpen? I feel he can be a damn nice starter if they keep him where he is and see if he can develop a solid changeup.

Adam Rubin

  (12:18 PM)

Talked to another scout yesterday who is assigned to Mets minor league system. He calls Familia an all-time great guy personality wise. And a reliever.

Jon (NYC)

Any sense about the org's overall view of Reese Havens? In the past he has hit but couldn't stay healthy. Lately, he's healthy but isn't hitting at all. Has he lost all his luster in the org, or does they assume he's ultimately going to hit if he stays on the field?

Adam Rubin

  (12:20 PM)

Hadn't asked directly. I'm surprised, like you sound, that he's not hitting, because that's his thing. I don't think they're ready to take his 40-man roster spot away yet, but it is something to watch.

Steve (California)

Assuming nothing changes drastically between now and then, what do you think the Mets try to do at the deadline this year? Can they get a backup catcher and middle reliever without giving up too much?

Adam Rubin

  (12:20 PM)

Middle reliever.

Steve (California)

Is it just me, or is there a feeling the Mets are a bit down on Harvey, specifically in regards with his command & change?

Adam Rubin

  (12:21 PM)

I've been hearing forever that he needs to work on his changeup. And when he gets hit with his changeup, he stops throwing it in a game instead of continuing to work on it, which is what the minors are for. Until he gets that pitch improved, he will not be a successful major leaguer. If major leaguers can eliminate a pitch and only look for harder stuff, you're going to get hit.

Ryan (NY)

Did you go to Stony Brook? How great of a story is this?

Adam Rubin

  (12:22 PM)

Great story, but I went to Penn. Just like to look out for the Long Island schools -- Stony Brook, Hofstra ... MacArthur

Steve (California)

Is there a middle ground with Bay? Can TC start just playing him against lefties?

Adam Rubin

  (12:23 PM)

The problem is that Torres, Hairston and Bay all hit LHP well. It would be a lot easier if one of them did the job against RHP.

JC (NY)

Will Washington ever slow down so that the Mets and other teams can get back within an eyelash of first. Or did we already see the closest the Mets will be to 1st place this year?

Adam Rubin

  (12:23 PM)

I picked Washington to reach the World Series based on their pitching. I'm expecting them to coast.

Jeff (Bronx)

Any update on Baxter? If he were here, do you think Bay would be sitting?

Adam Rubin

  (12:24 PM)

They originally said six weeks. When we were in the Bronx last weekend, he was still sleeping in a chair/recliner, I believe, because it was too uncomfortable for the shoulder in a bed. So this is not a quick return.

Frank (White Plains)

I understand that Parnell doesn't have great numbers in high leverage situations. However, do you think the mets will give him more opportunities in the future? He got about 8 outs in Washington in one inning and was dinked and dunked to death in the Bronx.

Adam Rubin

  (12:25 PM)

If he does well, he'll get more responsibility again. I don't think we can reasonably expect Miguel Batista is going to be the eighth-inning set-up man for the duration of the season.

Ryan (NY)

Is the Trop as much of a dump as it looks like on TV?

Adam Rubin

  (12:25 PM)

It's really fine. Attendance is the issue, I suppose.

Joe (NY)

Will the Mets win the no hitter appeal?

Adam Rubin

  (12:26 PM)

No. Joe Torre is the one who decides, by the way, if he chooses. Or he can refer it to a committee.

Jonesy (Delaware)

Hi Adam. I'm sure this won't be a popular thought amongst my fellow met fans, but should the mets consider trading R.A. Dickey if we fall out of contention next month? With a future rotation that should consist of Niese, Familia, Wheeler, and Harvey it seems we could get significant value for R.A. right now and possibly fill some future holes.

Adam Rubin

  (12:26 PM)

Are you not wanting to win next year as well? The Mets have a relatively inexpensive team option for next year as well.

Dan (NYC)

Obviously the Valdespin at SS experiment (although not TC's fault) was a monumental disaster but what do you think of his play at 2B? Its hard to keep Murphy's bat in the lineup when he has absolutely no pop and Jordany looks good at the plate. Should we see more of him at 2B when Reds are in town?

Adam Rubin

  (12:27 PM)

I think the more you see of Jordany Valdespin's fielding, the more you'll appreciate Daniel Murphy's fielding.

Jer (Staten Island)

Based on the whispers out their the Mets organization and team have not been to keen of Valdespin's work ethic and attitude. Would you still call that the same and does that make him the most likely trade candidate if they go to acquire someone (reliever, catcher what ever) and they are looking for a young player prospect in return?

Adam Rubin

  (12:27 PM)

Other teams know the same things.

Josh (NYC)

Do you think they rushed Bay back to the Majors? He only played in 1 rehab game in Single A... maybe more time would have helped

Adam Rubin

  (12:28 PM)

He played three rehab games with St. Lucie -- two at DH. They're generously ascribing his current struggles to lack of seeing minor league pitching. That might be a partial cause. But the fact that he doesn't catch up to fastballs anymore is a bigger problem.

Steve (California)

When Turner comes back, think he steals any ABs from Murphy? Mets need to get some RH bats, and Murphy has been extremely disappointing at the plate.

Adam Rubin

  (12:29 PM)

TC is good about using his bench. I'm sure you'll see limited Turner at 2B for Murphy. Ike is starting to hit. But Turner is the righty complement to Ike at 1B as well.

Steve (California)

What is TC's infatuation with Batista? Parnell has been better by every number, yet he gets demoted and Batista becomes the primary set-up guy??

Adam Rubin

  (12:30 PM)

If you don't want to use Rauch or Parnell in the 8th, and you can't use Hefner or Ramirez, you've got to use somebody.

Ryan (NY)

Is Niese getting that heart procedure done over the all-star break or is he waiting until the offseason?

Adam Rubin

  (12:30 PM)

He originally speculated All-Star break. Mets subsequently said the expectation is it will happen after the season.

RJ (NY)

Unless Ike picks it up in the next few weeks (AKA gets at least close to the Mendoza line), do you think he'll finally get sent down and Duda moves to 1B? That could help the logjam in the outfield

Adam Rubin

  (12:31 PM)

Ike has started to pick it up. I asked TC if Duda might play some 1B next homestand (or Hairston 2B for that matter)to alleviate some outfield crowding. TC said no.

Billy (Boston)

So Bay has had 1 hit in 7 weeks (I think the fact that he missed 6 weeks is of minimal importance -joking), and Terry yesterday skirted the issue but realistically how long can they continue trotting him out there every day? I'm not big on booing my own players but he's going to be walking into a hornet's nest. Thanks for all the work!

Adam Rubin

  (12:31 PM)

Duly noted. And thanks.

Alex (NYC)

Speaking of Bobby Parnell, do you think there is an internal reason why the Mets fielders seem not to play well behind him?

Adam Rubin

  (12:32 PM)

If every player flips a coin 100 times, it's not going to come up 50 heads and 50 tails for everybody. Somebody is going to have good luck. Somebody bad. It's not like he has such erratic control that he's lulling them to sleep or anything.

Jon (NYC)

Following up on Jonesy's question, how long do you think Dickey can pitch at a high level? Is it reasonable to think he can continue to be an effective starter into his 40s because he throws the knuckleball?

Adam Rubin

  (12:33 PM)

Certainly the track record for knuckleballers means Dickey can pitch another 7 or 8 years without issue. The one thing I'd be concerned about is a leg injury, which seemed to crop up a little last year. He's not young from that standpoint.

mk (albuquerque)

has anyone pointed out to the mets brass that it's pretty bad form to challenge the hit call against dickey so soon after clearly getting away with one in the santana no no?

Adam Rubin

  (12:34 PM)

I'd agree. Dickey today even said part of him wishes they didn't do it. It's going to be a wasted exercise anyway in all likelihood.

Greg (PA)

Any chance of Wheeler getting his debut this year? What about Harvey?

Adam Rubin

  (12:35 PM)

Definitely doubt Wheeler. He's not on the 40-man roster. Triple-A should be his final destination. Matt Harvey is going to need to improve that changeup. Otherwise, no earlier than September.

Vinnie (Bronx, NY)

Hey Adam! If there is anyone in the farm system that can help fix or even tweak up the bullpen as soon as possible, who do you think it will be?Also, do you expect Zach Wheeler to be called up anytime soon?

Adam Rubin

  (12:36 PM)

Certainly Mejia is about 2 weeks away. Josh Edgin, the left-hander there, might be a contributor this year. And Pedro Beato has been lights out, at least at the Triple-A level.

Joe (NY)

Any chance we see an outfield configuration by the end of the year and hopefully for years to come of Nieuwenhuis, Den Dekker, and Duda. (Trade Bay and eat the money and ditch Torres)?

Adam Rubin

  (12:37 PM)

Not seeing den Dekker this year, in part because of the 40-man issue. He still strikes out a lot. It will be interesting to see his Triple-A stats in terms of strikeouts and whether he's chasing/recognizing pitches. Lots of veteran hurlers in the International League.

JB (NYC)

Am I the only one happy about how bad Jason Bay is? If he keeps this up we can stop worrying pretty soon about his option vesting, right?

Adam Rubin

  (12:38 PM)

The vesting option for 2014 is based on 500 PAs this year and next, or 600 plate appearances in 2013. He's certainly not getting there the first way I mentioned. So it's all going to be based on plate appearances next year. And with this production level, they'll certainly adjust playing time -- justifiably so -- so that he doesn't reach that 600 PA threshold.

Ryan (New York)

Based off his recent promotion to AAA, do you think the Mets see Den Dekker as a part of their future in the outfield?

Adam Rubin

  (12:39 PM)

Future? Yes. 2012 future? I'm skeptical.

Adam Rubin

  (12:39 PM)

Anyway, we're getting closer to game time. Thanks for joining me for the past 40 minutes.