Alderson: Next 10 Games Will Decide If Mets Are Buyers At Deadline
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Whatever that run leading into the All-Star break was, it has to continue if the Mets are to try to add a significant piece or two this season.
So was the missive handed down by general manager Sandy Alderson on Friday prior to the Amazins' opener of a weekend series in San Diego to begin the season's unofficial second half.
The Mets won eight of 10 heading into the break to move within five games of .500. They sit seven out of both first place in the NL East and the second wild card.
The question now is: was the run a fluke, or was it the beginning of something else? Alderson said he can't wait to find out.
"I think the last 10 games were important because they make the next 10 games relevant to what happens at the trade deadline," Alderson told the NY Post. "We'll see what happens over the next 10 days or so. But certainly the last 10 games have to make us a little more optimistic."
Alderson's words came on the same day closer Jenrry Mehjia told SNY that the Mets would make the playoffs, something they haven't done since advancing to the NLCS in 2006.
Following their three-game set against the Padres, the Mets will head to Seattle for three and then Milwaukee for four.
Alderson said he hopes to know if this team is serious about contending before it returns to Queens on July 28 to square off with the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. And if it is, he said he would likely want to trade for players that would help the Mets beyond a run this season.
"I don't think we would deal significant prospects or significant value for somebody who is going to help us for a couple of months," Alderson said. "We spent too much time improving our minor league system and setting ourselves up for the future to commit significant resources to somebody in a deal that is only going to help us for a short period of time. In that sense we would probably be looking for somebody who can help us longer term as well."
It appears that right now the Mets are shopping right-hander Bartolo Colon, but that could change, as could the status of All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy, whom Alderson said he doesn't foresee being moved.
"We're not actively looking to trade Daniel Murphy by any means," Alderson said. "That situation will resolve itself over time."
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