Q & A With Adam Rubin Of The New York Daily News

Author: Will Sommer

I recently had the chance to e-mail Adam Rubin of the Daily News a couple of questions about the Mets recent struggles, and what teams are saying around the majors. Enjoy

Will Sommer: Are the Mets the laughing stock around the majors?

Adam Rubin: Laughing stock? That's a bit harsh. I'm sure Willie Randolph may be privately smirking though in the Brewers dugout. I'm sure no one feels bad about a big-market team that throws around a lot of dollars struggling.

WS: How come the Mets have no baseball sense, and play such lousy defense?

AR:If you're referring to a play like Daniel Murphy throwing late across the diamond in the first inning and asetting the Mets up for a big inning, that's just inexperience at the position. If you're referring to Fernando Martinez falling in the outfield, that's just a bad break. I'm not sure there's a rhyme or reason. People noted that before the really poorly played game against the Yankees, the Mets took infield practice at Citi Field that afternoon.

WS: Are the Mets going to be buyers or sellers?

AR: I have a feeling neither, though they'll shop for now.

WS: If Oliver Perez does poorly in AAA what's next?

AR: Another Triple-A start. But assuming his performance is passable, Jerry Manuel has said he likely plans to piggyback Perez on Tim Redding's start next week.

WS: Is Johan Santana at his boiling point?

AR: I'm sure he can't be thrilled, but something tells me $137.5 million makes it a little easier to swallow.

WS: What's the word around the press box?

AR: It's not going to be a fun few days of travel with day game in Milwaukee on Wednesday, day game in Pittsburgh on Thursday and game in Philadelphia on Friday. Not exactly major hubs.