Q & A with ESPN's Adam Rubin

1) First off, before we begin with the Mets, I wanted to ask you personally, How did you find yourself working for ESPN? How has the experience been for you during the past decade that you have been covering the Mets? Do you have a favorite moments?

I was very fortunate. I had a great experience covering the White Sox’s Double-A team in Birmingham, Ala., when the New York Daily News hired me in 2000. The Daily News sports editor, Leon Carter, was hired by ESPN to run its New York web site. He brought me with him.

It’s been a mostly fun experience the last decade-plus covering the Mets. Obviously, like the fans, I wish there had been more playoffs to cover. But there have been highlights, including being at Shea Stadium for the first game back after 9/11. Unfortunately, my bosses had me off the day Johan Santana tossed his no-hitter.


2) How interactive are you with other teams’ beat reporters and scouts? Do you all sit together at games?

Very. I do a series preview on the ESPNNewYork.com Mets blog for every match-up, and routinely touch base with the beat writers about the teams they cover while preparing. I definitely enjoy spending time with the scouts, too. I’ll often have a pregame meal with them and soak up their knowledge. The scouts are in the stands during games, though, while we’re in the press box.


3) With the club entering its final season of its agreement with the Las Vegas 51s, can you explain what the clubs options are going forward? Are their any other "free agent" AAA teams this off-season?

The options may be none. I haven’t fully studied it, but there may be no International League city that opens up for the Mets to try to get into.


4) What's the clubhouse environment like? Is it undergoing change with the pie loving Justin Turner gone and the more success driven Harvey in?

Every season is different. The Mets are relatively young, so there should be a lot of energy. Players during spring training really seem to have bonded. So I don’t think there will be any tension in there this season.


5) How active do you feel the Mets will be in the trade/free agent market going forward as financials continue to improve?

If you consider the major interest payments, etc., the team has going forward, I’m still not sure you’re going to see dramatic payroll leaps ahead of bigger attendance numbers. Even if the Mets keep their current team intact, the salaries of the arbitration-eligible players continue to rise. The good news for the Mets is that they should have a cost-effective, very solid rotation going forward with Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard anchoring it.


6) Lastly, in your opinion, with the pieces the club has in place right now, do you believe Sandy's Alderson's goal of 90 wins this season is attainable?

No. I think a winning season would be an achievement. The bullpen and bench are suspect, and they really did nothing to address shortstop, among other deficiencies.