Sportscaster gets real about Pete Alonso's upside over Anthony Santander for Mets

The New York Mets have not yet reached a contract agreement with Pete Alonso to bring him back to the team. Meanwhile, they are reportedly looking to add Anthony Santander to their lineup as well, especially if they fail to re-sign the first baseman.

New York Mets sportscaster Evan Roberts does not think it would make sense for the team to bring in Anthony Santander as a replacement for Pete Alonso. The Mets are reportedly looking at a short-term, high-average annual value deal to re-sign Alonso. On the other hand, Santander is reported to now be open to signing a short-term contract after remaining unsigned in the free agent market thus far.

Evan Roberts offered his views on the Mets pursuing Anthony Santander in the free agent market during the afternoon show on WFAN this Sunday.

"Anthony Santander on a short-term contract is a backup plan for Pete Alonso," he declared. "It's [about] replacing the power of Pete, and maybe you get that power out of DH.

"[Santander] turned down a qualifying offer, so you're giving up a draft pick that you'd not have to give up in the case of Pete Alonso for a similar short-term, big AAV contract. And, you're talking about a player that's never played here before.

"So, before we even crunch the numbers comparing Santander to Alonso, factor in the draft pick," he added. "Is that something you really want to give up? So, I'd prefer to keep Pete, as opposed to replacing Pete with Santander, which, I think, is a backup option if they lost Alonso."

Alonso is a four-time All-Star and was named 2019 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 53 home runs during the regular season.

"If it's not Pete Alonso going out getting Anthony Santander is just not as good": Evan Roberts

Pete Alonso remains unsigned even though he was one of the top free agents of this winter (Image Source: Imagn)

Evan Roberts is doubtful whether Anthony Santander can replace the offensive production of Pete Alonso on his own. However, he believes the New York Mets are better off having both Alonso and Santander in their lineup.

"I certainly am not going to complain if you went out and added Anthony Santander to go along with Pete, but I don't think it's necessarily a must," Roberts said. "The must is having the big bat retained in Alonso. But if it's not Alonso going out, getting Santander is just not as good, especially when you factor in the draft pick that you'd have to give up."

Besides being a massive favorite among the Mets fans, Alonso has averaged 43 home runs per year for the team. On the other hand, Santander smashed 44 homers last year, the most by any switch hitter in nearly two decades.