Player Data: Age: 31 (08/17/1993) B/T: L/L
Primary Stats: 145 G, 508 PA, .253/.360/.405/.764, 109 H, 23 2B, 14 HR, 58 RBI, 14 SB, 63 BB, 106 SO
Advanced Stats: 118 OPS+, 118 wRC+, 20.9% K%, 12.4% BB%, .340 BABIP, .329 xwOBA, 1.3 fWAR, 2.0 bWAR
2024 Salary: $2 million
Jesse Winker signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Washington Nationals prior to the 2024 season. After a tough campaign in 2023 with the Milwaukee Brewers, the former All-Star was looking to reset and rediscover himself. Over the first few months of the season, he did just that. Winker thrived with the Nationals, slashing .257/.374/.419./.793 with 11 home runs, 45 runs batted in, and a 126 OPS+ in 379 plate appearances. As the trade deadline approached, the Nationals began to drift away in the Wild Card race. With Winker on an expiring deal, he was a player that garnered interest from around the majors. On July 28, the New York Mets agreed to a deal for him.
Winker had a solid start to his time with his Mets. He collected 14 hits over his first 14 starts, but his first signature moments would come against the Baltimore Orioles on August 21. Tie game, bottom of the ninth inning, Winker versus Seranthony Domínguez. The left-handed hitter won the duel, hitting a walk-off home run over the wall in left-center field. Winker, a player who had an interesting relationship with the Mets fanbase, gave them something to cheer about. More of those moments were to come later on in the season.
Winker went just 3-for-42 in September and overall slashed .243/.318/.365/.683 in 129 plate appearances with the Mets. His time with the team would continue for just a bit longer, as the Mets clinched their spot in the postseason on the final day of the regular season. Winker had a few massive moments in the playoffs. In Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, he had a two-run triple to get the Mets on the board. In Game 3 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Winker hit a solo home run to extend the lead to two. Winker was a major factor throughout the postseason, hitting .318 with seven hits, one run, four runs batted in, and a 1.167 OPS across 10 games.
At the time of the trade, a lot of Mets fans were hoping for the return of Michael Conforto. The front office decided to go in a different direction, opting to acquire Winker instead. That decision proved to be the right one in the end. Winker not only became a difference-maker on the field, but he also became a fan favorite – a great combination for a trade deadline addition.
The Mets have a lot of important decisions to make about positions that need to be filled. How Steve Cohen and David Stearns attack this off-season will largely depend on whether or not they land Juan Soto. If they are able to sign him, that fills a hole in right field. At that point, what would Starling Marte‘s role look like? Could he be an option as the team’s right-handed designated hitter? These are the types of questions that can be asked about a lot of players, including Jesse Winker. Winker can feature in left or right field, although his limitations defensively likely mean that he is best suited to be a left-handed designated hitter. The question is, do the Mets need that?
Bringing Winker back on a one-year deal or a two-year deal would make a lot of sense. In 2024, he showed that he still has a lot left in the tank offensively. Plus, his presence in the clubhouse was certainly felt. For a long time, Winker was someone that the fanbase considered an enemy. Now, fans hope he sticks around for 2025.
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