The New York Giants are placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on star running back Saquon Barkley. 

Barkley put together his best season as a pro under first-year head coach Brian Daboll in 2022. He earned his second-career Pro Bowl invite after recording a career-high 1,312 rushing yards as well as 10 touchdowns.

The Penn State product dazzled during his rookie campaign after New York selected him with the second overall pick in 2018. He led the league with 2,028 scrimmage yards and added 15 total touchdowns on his way to being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

New York appeared destined to tag QB Daniel Jones due to stalled negotiations, which would’ve let Barkley test free agency. However, the  Giants reached an agreement on a reported four-year, $160-million contract extension with Jones. The club then elected to use the tender on Barkley.

The Mets’ reconnection to their history under owner Steve Cohen will mean an increased alumni presence in spring training.

David Wright, Edgardo Alfonzo, Darryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, John Franco and Al Leiter make up the roster of guest instructors the team will bring to camp, according to manager Buck Showalter.

A notable absentee will be Mike Piazza, who is managing Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

Franco’s appearance at camp will be his first in several years. Johnson returned to the Mets family last season, following a rift with the previous regime that had kept him separated from the franchise following his firing as the team’s hitting coach after the 2010 season.

Multiple MLB owners are worried after New York Mets owner Steve Cohen went on an unprecedented shopping spree in free agency this offseason.

Some owners are reportedly concerned they won’t be able to compete for players and, inevitably, in games.

Other owners were fine with Cohen signing Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Justin Verlander but thought landing Carlos Correa was “over the top.”

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said that Cohen’s spending was something that had to be “looked at” after the latter  dished out over $800 million to free agents.

The Mets’ total payroll for 2023 currently stands at around $500 million, which includes a luxury-tax penalty of over $100 million. Meanwhile, the Yankees have the second-highest projected payroll in baseball but are still 33% behind their crosstown rivals.

Cohen is by far the wealthiest MLB owner, with an estimated net worth of $17.4 billion.