Alderson tells Collins that his job is safe

NEW YORK -- Mets general manager Sandy Alderson met with Terry Collins prior to Tuesday's game against the Brewers to assure the manager that his job is safe.

Alderson said he felt the meeting was necessary due to a fresh round of tabloid rumors surrounding Collins' job security.

"Sometimes you have to address topics you wouldn't otherwise because of all of the noise that surrounds the situation," the GM said. "That's kind of it in a nutshell. You have to take a little bit longer view of things. The first game in Chicago, had we won that, we were a .500 team. Now we're seven under. A lot of stuff has happened in the last week, but nothing so shocking or surprising."

The Mets handed Collins a two-year contract extension at the end of last season with a team option for 2016. Collins has largely escaped blame for his club's lackluster start to the season, though the Mets dismissed hitting coach Dave Hudgens late last month.

"Obviously I talk to Sandy all the time," Collins said. "It is what it is. It's part of the job. All these things are all part of this job. You know what? It isn't going to change the way we come to the ballpark. You stay positive, you stay upbeat, have some fun, get the guys ready to play, and go out and play hard and see if you can win."