As Pete Alonso and the Mets continue their standoff, Boomer Esiason wonders if the homegrown Mets slugger can become the city’s next Saquon Barkley, who left the only team he ever knew as a pro before thriving with another club.
“It really does make you feel the same way,” Boomer said. “If Pete Alonso signs somewhere else and hits 50 home runs and drives in 150, it’s gonna feel like the Giants with Saquon.
“It’s kind of the same situation. Pete has had some really great moments here and some awful ones. Saquon had some great moments here and then some awful ones.”
The Giants and Barkley had some negotiations, but Joe Schoen and company ultimately decided to spend that money elsewhere on the roster, and Barkley signed with the Eagles, flirted with the single-season rushing record, and just scored three touchdowns to punch the Birds’ ticket to the Super Bowl. Boomer wonders, if Alonso signs elsewhere, he could turn back the clock and go back to being a 50-homer slugger and make the Mets regret their decision.
“If you’re Pete Alonso, just like if you were Saquon Barkley, ‘I’ve been there, I’ve done a million things for you guys, I show up for every game...I’m being the best Met I can be,’” Boomer said. “The fans love him, just like most fans loved Saquon Barkley.
“Now the question is, is that gonna be Pete Alonso for the Mets if they don’t sign him?”