As the Yankees and Mets get set to start spring training action, Sal Licata believes that the team in Queens is building its roster in a more conducive way to succeeding in modern Major League Baseball.
The Yanks have built one of the best rotations in baseball with three high-priced free agent signings, while the Mets have elected to go with short-term deals and take fliers on starters with upside potential, and prioritizing their funds in the lineup. Sal would rather go with the latter than the former.
“I think the way the Mets are doing it in today’s game, to me, is more beneficial long term,” Sal said. “The way the sport has evolved, I don’t think it’s a smart investment in putting a lot of your resources in the starting rotation with pitchers, who we know have been so fragile.”
Five years ago, Sal admits he would have gone the Yankees way. But now, as the Dodgers are coming off a championship in which they flirted with using the most starters in a season in league history, Sal says putting so much spending in a starting rotation is no longer the way to go.
“Not having depth and versatility in that lineup…the DH spot, lack of depth, the resources used in the starting rotation…I just don’t like the philosophy of building a team that way in today’s game,” Sal said.
“I think there’s more value in the way the Mets are doing it.”