Sandy Alderson made it clear on Thursday that the New York Mets won't trade any of their four young starters.

"We're not trading the four young players in our rotation," the general manager said. "That's not going to happen."

Alderson also did his best to reject the notion that the Mets lack financial flexibility.

When asked if the Mets possessed the capability to take on a player with a "major contract," Alderson replied: "Yes."

"Now, none of you will believe me, OK?" Alderson continued. "So I'm not sure why you asked the question and insisted on the answer."