Selig sees Mets headed in right direction

DENVER -- Commissioner Bud Selig was at Coors Field on Friday before the second game of a four-game series between the Mets and Rockies.

In addition to talking about the current state of the game, Selig expressed confidence the Mets are headed in the right direction.

"I am not the least bit concerned about the Mets' ability to compete at the Major League level," Selig said.

The Mets are proving Selig right. They entered play Friday in third place, three games over .500 and two games out of first in the National League East.

"I think the Mets are playing better," Selig said. "I think the Mets feel that they're better. And I have a lot of faith, not only in the Wilpons, but in [general manager] Sandy Alderson when he tells me that their farm system will produce the kind of talent they need to be better."

Waiting for said talent to arrive can be a tough process for Mets fans who are hoping the team can return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

"A lot of people get frustrated," Selig said. "But rebuilding a club through its farm system, it's a slow process. Branch Rickey used to say that it takes three to five years before you can judge a farm system or a trade. He was right.

"I've watched a lot of organizations, because this question comes up about other clubs, and you can see the byproducts of clubs with a true farm system working. It may not work as fast as you'd like, but the Mets have played much better this year so far, and the independent people that I know give the Mets very high marks for their farm system."