Collins not thinking about uncertain future with Mets

NEW YORK -- Terry Collins doesn't have a contract for next season. He's still being evaluated before the team determines whether or not he'll be brought back as the manager of the Mets. With Tuesday's trade, Collins lost his most productive hitter, Marlon Byrd. He also lost John Buck, a catcher who brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse.

Collins has a roster dotted with young players who have spent time in the Minor Leagues this season. How the team fares in the final month of the season is included in the evaluation process, though it's not the final or only factor.

"I have said before and reiterate that how Terry's evaluated is beyond simply wins or losses," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "It's perceived that this will make it more difficult for him to win. I don't necessarily hold to that belief. Obviously, all the circumstances will be taken into account."

All season long, Collins has worked with a young team. With Monday's revelation that Matt Harvey has a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and then Tuesday's trade, Collins now has to lead the Mets through adversity.

But Collins isn't thinking about his own future at this point.

"I will reiterate the same things I've been saying all summer -- this is not about me," Collins said. "This is not about me, this will never be about me. This is only about our team in that clubhouse and those 25 guys that have got to go out and play every night."

Instead of considering his own contract status, Collins said his concern is making sure his players know they're going to need to fulfill certain expectations.

He might not have a contract for 2014, but Collins certainly has his work cut out for him through the end of this season.

"My job right now is to make sure they understand what's expected of each and every one of those guys," Collins said, "and they go out and attain that."