Sal Licata has heard enough calls about bringing all the kids up for the Mets. It's time to get realistic about what so many rookies would be able to contribute in their first full big-league seasons.
"I can't stand calls like that. I can't stand the talk of that," Sal said. "The team with the highest payroll in history, and all you can talk about is bringing up the kids. Do you want to see the Triple-A Mets? Is that what you want to see?
"I got an idea. Why don't we just bring up [Ronny] Mauricio and have him play shortstop. Light a fire under [Francisco] Lindor."
Sal's reaction isn't a knock on the Mets prized prospects, but a realistic expectation in terms of their immediate impact is necessary, as Sal considers Lindor and Starling Marte turning things around to be a more likely outcome in 2023 than the team's youngsters coming up and immediately balling out.
"I'm watching Brett Baty, am I not watching properly here? Where exactly is Baty tearing the cover off the ball?" Sal said. "Mark Vientos had one big hit, and it was a big hit…but let's not act like Mark Vientos is the second coming. Come on now. Alvarez, it took him how long to finally start to look like he belongs in the big leagues? What's he hitting? You guys are all excited about Alvarez and Baty, what are they doing? Alvarez is hitting .218, and you can't wait to bring up the young guys. Brett Baty, after tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A, is batting .241.
"They're rookies, and they're rookies for a reason. There are struggles that go along with being a rookie."
If Mets fans want a good example of what Sal is talking about, look no further than right across town in the Bronx.
"Look at Anthony Volpe," Sal said. "He couldn't have had a better spring, and while he's contributing, he's batting .215. What do we think is gonna happen with Vientos and Mauricio? You rip Lindor and say he sucks, and he has this year, but he's batting .229. He's still better than anything you're talking about."
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