Alderson being careful with 'buyers' label for Mets
Jason Bay connects on a third-inning RBI single. (July 21, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Mets might still be considered buyers at the moment, but that could change soon if they don't awaken from their free fall.
They lost Saturday for the eighth time in their last nine. Sandy Alderson said the team's results in the coming days will dictate whether they will look to add pieces before the July 31 trading deadline.
"Well, it's not a question of what we need to see on the field to make us buyers," the Mets general manager said Saturday. "It's what do we see on the field that causes us not to be buyers. The presumption here has been that we are buyers, but realistically, the next seven, eight, 10 games, become important for us."
Familia not an option
With their bullpen woes, might the Mets be considering elevating prospect Jeurys Familia from Triple-A Buffalo?
Sure doesn't look that way. Alderson isn't inclined to mess with the growth of the 22-year-old righthander, who's 7-5 with a 4.33 ERA in 20 starts for the Bisons.
"I'd say the answer to that right at this moment is no," Alderson said. "He's pitched well the last three times out and he's been on the roster. Would he benefit from some point coming to the big leagues and having that exposure before we come to spring training next year? Possibly.
"But I want to emphasize, if we were to bring somebody like Familia up, it would really be first and foremost as part of his development."
Extra bases
Jason Bay's third-inning RBI single was only the second time all season he has driven in a run without a homer; the first was April 8 . . . The Mets fell to 13-22 against lefthanded starters this season . . . In his last 19 games, Daniel Murphy is batting .414 with 17 RBIs and 14 extra-base hits . . . The Mets recalled RHP Elvin Ramirez from Buffalo.
