3 NY Mets players who should be able to get paid more than expected this offseason

The position they play, the year they had, and/or a thin market of peer should help these three Mets free agents cash in.
Division Series - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets - Game 4
Division Series - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets - Game 4 | Elsa/GettyImages
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3) Jesse Winker is the right mix of affordable yet talented

Jesse Winker bounced back nicely with the Washington Nationals and continued to pile on the season numbers during his time with the Mets. The Nationals numbers in 101 games were still far better. He slashed .257/.374/.419 with 11 home runs versus the .243/.318/.365 with 3 as a member of the Mets. An incredibly rough September is what threw a cold towel on an otherwise very good year for a guy who one year prior barely did anything offensively for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Winker was only on a $2 million deal and should have secured himself a nice raise with his next free agent contract. The best free agent comparison is Joc Pederson whose two-year deal worth $37 million with an opt out after 2025 provides the goal for what Winker should aim to get in the future. Right now, a short-term deal with some value of significance should be more in line with what he makes.

Winker suits a team best as the left-handed platoon partner at DH with the ability to play some corner outfield. He didn’t have nearly as good of a season as Pederson, however, a player option for a second year shouldn’t be impossible. 

The only remaining player in free agency anything like him is Alex Verdugo. Verdugo is coming off of a bad year and should be viewed more favorably as a defender. Winker won’t have an entire mansion made of gold because of his next contract. He can certainly add some more shine on his teeth.