Adam Rubin has covered the Mets’ beat at the Daily News since 2003, so we figured he’d be the guy to ask about the team’s current situation as it stands at a crossroads. In addition to his daily columns, he also runs a great blog, Surfing the Mets, at the Daily News’ website and authored his first book in 2006, a recounting of the Mets’ 2005 season with Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran in tow. Luckily for us, Adam was happy to answer our questions.

MetsGeek: How much worse do the Mets need to be before upper management would consider some amount of dynamiting? Do you think this team needs minor retooling or a major overhaul? Do you think there are any players that would be attractive to other teams that the Mets would consider dealing?

Adam Rubin: One of the problems with the way things have been built is that there’s little wiggle room. They’re locked into Luis Castillo for four years at second base. I would suspect anything of substance will occur this winter, when Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and Oliver Perez’s contracts are up, as well as Moises Alou’s and Carlos Delgado’s. With the state of the minor-league system, I’m not sure what can be added at this point, although if Alou’s injury will be long term, acquiring some sort of outfielder would be justified.

MetsGeek: Do you Willie Randolph really is the problem with the Mets, or is he just the victim of a bad team needing to make a move? Has Willie lost this team?

Adam Rubin: I don’t think Willie Randolph is an exceptional manager, but when he’s starting corner outfielders who include Fernando Tatis, Endy Chavez, and Damion Easley, and with the bullpen’s underperformance, and with Carlos Delgado in decline, the primary fault lies elsewhere. I don’t think Randolph has lost the team, though I’m not sure he’s the dynamic leader that they’ll run through walls for, either.

MetsGeek: Should the Mets simply cut Carlos Delgado? He’s barely hitting, and seems to be unhappy. Could something like that shake up the team in a positive way? That said, what would the Mets do first, call up one of their Double-A sluggers (Murphy, Carp, Evans) to give them a full-time audition or attempt to trade for someone like Xavier Nady? Is that even possible at this point?

Adam Rubin: They’re not cutting Delgado unless they’re conceding the division and looking toward 2009 and beyond, which they’re not ready to do. I’m all for giving Carp, Murphy and Evans looks this year, so you know what you have before the offseason. Regarding trades, I don’t see why people expect that it’s the Mets’ given right for every team to send its top players to them. Why would the Pirates send Nady to the Mets? Start with Fernando Martinez in that deal, and keep going. But then who is contending to replace Alou in the outfield next year?

MetsGeek: There seems to be a gap between the perception of the team by the fans and by Mets’ upper management, at least based on the last few times Omar Minaya has spoken to the media. What’s the real story? Is management really not concerned and do they really think this team can still win as is, or are they just not willing to express that sentiment yet publicly?

Adam Rubin: I’m sure Omar Minaya believes he’s assembled a good team. Of course, he’d have to say that anyway. Minaya has failed to recognize that players now have steep declines in performance in their late 30s. He’s also provided no safety net with a barren minor-league system at the upper levels. The Mets are not this bad, but they’re not an exceptional team, either. The formula that was successful in 2006, Aaron Heilman and Duaner Sanchez leading into Billy Wagner, is a shell of two years ago. Delgado’s performance has substantially dropped off since then. Brian Schneider is becoming the defense-first, lighter-hitting catcher he was billed to be despite his hot start. And Carlos Beltran and David Wright aren’t having exceptional years … yet, at least.

MetsGeek: Do you think that the Wilpons are scared of retooling, or even—God forbid—rebuilding, because they want to go into the new ballpark with a winning team next year?

Adam Rubin: When you allot $140 million to payroll, you expect to win. With a roster that includes Santana, Wright, Reyes and Beltran, I’m sure they believe they’ll be competitive going into Citi Field. I would be concerned, though, because I don’t know where the replacements for the older players set to depart are going to come from.

MetsGeek: What’s the status right now of the Mets interest in re-signing Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez?

Adam Rubin: Perez’s teammates are convinced he’s signing elsewhere. I’ve advocated offering him arbitration in order to get the draft pick, but if Perez continues to underwhelm, I’m not so sure that would turn out wise. Scott Boras can turn around and accept the arbitration, buying time for Perez to have a bounce-back year in 2009 and get the big contract somewhere then that he wants this winter. Perez’s salary, if he accepted any arbitration offer, likely would be close to the $6.5 million he’s making this year. It’s too soon on Martinez. I think the Mets might be wise moving on, or else you’re setting up being susceptible to injury again in 2009. But, then again, with the free-agent market so barren these days, maybe it’s wise to bring him back, but just not be so reliant on him performing.

MetsGeek: Thanks, Adam, for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.