3 Mets free agents fans might want to re-sign exclusively for their playoff performances

Not sure if the Mets should re-sign these three? Their strong playoff performances might have convinced you otherwise.

Championship Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets - Game 5
Championship Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets - Game 5 | Al Bello/GettyImages
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Can the playoffs really change a front office’s plans with a certain player? Probably not. The fans are a different story. And with the New York Mets continuing their magic into October, the perception of certain players is altering, too.

When the playoffs begin, it’s a whole different season that starts. The increased number of series/games has helped make MLB into something closer to the NHL where the hottest teams advance rather than the ones who won the regular season wars.

Let’s, for a moment, forget all about what these players did in the regular season. These three who struggled at times in the regular season might have helped change your opinion of them exclusively for what they are doing in the playoffs. 

1) Jesse Winker

Jesse Winker will be one of those hotly debated Mets free agents some fans will bang down doors to re-sign and others will wish well upon his departure. Could he come back? There’s definitely room. As a part-time DH and corner outfielder, Winker is actually a decent match for the Mets. Even at the risk of spoiling his reputation as a postseason pest and clutch performer, the front office will have to weigh how heavily they want to involve him in future plans.

Winker is batting .316/.519/.684 this postseason with 5 walks versus 3 strikeouts. Undoubtedly the best choice for the DH spot, he has completely made many forget about what an absent September he had.

After slashing .343/.357/.508 and winning everyone over in August, Winker batted a much more pitiful .071/.250/.143 in September. Only because J.D. Martinez went over 30 at-bats without a hit was this not talked about more.

Winker shouldn’t be foolish enough to command an outrageous contract in the offseason. He’s still best in a platoon role as the left-handed hitting option. For the Mets, the debate might be about the number of years they’d commit. Ensuring they have room for up-and-coming players is important. A one-year deal would make the most sense.

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