How the NY Mets can use Jesse Winker and Starling Marte as more than platoon partners

New York Mets fans rejoiced on Thursday afternoon when news broke that the Mets had re-signed fan favorite Jesse Winker to a one-year deal. However, there was also some fallout from the deal, as to what this means for Winker's role on the Mets' current roster, as well as what it means for fellow outfielder Starling Marte.

Without Pete Alonso on the roster and no new deal in sight, the Mets are going to have to get creative with their roster as it currently stands if they have to enter spring training without Alonso. This is where Winker fits into this equation. The initial expectation is that Winker and Marte will platoon as the Mets starting Designated Hitter, however, I could very well see Winker spending some days in the outfield as well as playing some first base for the Mets this summer as it stands right now.

The Mets addition of Jesse Winker gives Manager Carlos Mendoza additional flexible options with the roster as currently constructed.

Winker played a small sample size (13 games) at first base for the first time in his career back in 2023 for the Milwaukee Brewers in Triple-A, and I would assume the Mets may give him some looks there this spring to increase their roster flexibility. That would give Carlos Mendoza some additional options with the outfield alignment as well as the DH position.

Winker, who is also a natural outfielder, will most likely spend some time roaming the confines of Citi Field. I would naturally expect it to happen on some days being paired together with Marte when they want to give a player like Brandon Nimmo or Juan Soto a day off of their feet. That would allow Mendoza to insert either Nimmo or Soto into the designated hitter position to keep both players fresh throughout the season.

It's also vital to remember the recent injury struggles that Marte has had over the last couple of seasons, and the return of Winker could provide the opportunity for Marte to stay fresh over the course of a 162-game season. By Marte taking more days off and being utilized as a pinch runner late in games on his off days for the Mets, it would provide the Mets with one of the deepest benches in baseball as Marte's speed has always been a difference-maker for the club when healthy,

Lastly, there is also the realistic possibility that Marte will be dealt before camp begins next month if the Mets deem him expendable due to the current influx of outfielders. There are a few ways the Mets could utilize both of these players' talents this season on the 26-man roster together, including some days in the outfield together, but there is also the reality that this move could also spell the end of the Starling Marte era in Queens if GM David Stearns has other ideas.