NL East Notes: Ruiz, Harvey, Collins, Sandberg

Mets manager Terry Collins appears to be safe for next season, but GM Sandy Alderson told Jim Bowden (Twitter link) and Jim Duquette of SiriusXM that an official determination won't be made until after the current season.  However, Alderson gave yet another strong endorsement for the experienced skipper (link).  "He's done an excellent job with the resources he's had, [we're] very pleased with what he's done," said the GM.  Here's more out of the NL East..

• The Phillies should re-sign catcher Carlos Ruiz because of his offensive resurgence and because the alternatives aren't ideal, writes Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Ruiz told reporters, including MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, he has not heard from the Phillies about next year but is open to negotiate whenever they want. "Everything depends on the Phillies. If they want to talk before the end of the season, we're OK with that. If not, we'll wait and see what we've got in the market. It's not in my hands, you know?" said the 34-year-old, who will become a free agent at the end of the season.
• Alderson told Bowden and Duquette that the club will have money to spend on the free agent market this winter (link).  The GM made it clear that he will target free agent bats this offseason but also noted that he'd like to add a starter, even if Matt Harvey elects not to have surgery (Twitter links).
• Speaking of Harvey, he'll have a second visit with Dr. James Andrews this week and a determination will be made by the third week of September (link).
• Collins isn't the only NL East manager whose job isn't locked down for 2014.  Phillies GM Ruben Amaro told the SiriusXM duo (Twitter links) that he is still analyzing Ryne Sandberg's performance and hasn't decided yet if there will be an interview process for the position.  From the conversation, Bowden didn't get the impression that it's a slam dunk that Sandberg will have his interim tag removed.

Edward Creech contributed to this post.