Several NY Mets roster issues answered with the return of Jesse Winker

The New York Mets are bringing back free agent outfielder Jesse Winker in 2025, and it should be a sigh of relief. The New York Post's Joel Sherman reported on Thursday that the Mets are in agreement with Winker on a one-year, $8 million contract, pending a physical.

The Mets acquired Winker in a trade with the Washington Nationals last summer in a move that bolstered the depth of their offense. At the plate, he had an excellent August and a not-so-great September, before hitting .318 with a whopping .531 on-base percentage in the postseason, helping the Mets reach Game 6 of the NLCS.

Jesse Winker’s return helps fill a couple of holes on the current roster.

Winker coming back solves three issues, two more so than the other. The Mets lingering roster issue of the left-handed designated hitter was a concern because the Mets were on track to have Starling Marte take the majority of the at-bats from that position as a right-handed hitter prior to today’s signing. Marte’s health has been a question throughout his Mets career. Winker signing with the Mets ensures that designated hitter will not be an area of deficiency for the Mets this season, regardless of if they move Marte in a trade.

Winker brings back his strong plate discipline (96th percentile in chase rate and walk rate in 2024), driving up the opposing pitcher’s pitch count, and his knack for coming through in big moments. In 42 high-leverage appearances between the Mets and Nationals, he hit .361/.429/.778 with five homers and a 223 wRC+. Two things you need from a designated hitter are what Winker brings.

Winker also can fill in as a 5th (or even 6th) outfielder on this roster. While his defensive metrics haven’t been great during his career, he does possess a strong arm. He had seven outfield assists in just 138 total chances last season, making for one of the better such ratios in baseball.

The third thing he returns is an edge mentality the Mets had lacked in recent years, which was perhaps the reason he became a fan favorite after rubbing the fanbase the wrong way after that waving episode he had with the fans six years ago while he was with the Cincinnati Reds. He was a great fit to the team culture they had built during their summer renaissance.

Winker was always on David Stearns’ radar as a potential addition to the roster. Winker signed with the Milwaukee Brewers prior to 2023, Stearns’ last season with the organization before joining the Mets, and this signing is reassurance between both camps that the Mets are striving for the mentality needed to be the team they want to be in 2025. Winker had hoped at the end of last season that he would be a Met this season, and now, pending a physical, it is a reality.

Also, when it comes to the Mets, don't rule out them signing Pete Alonso, even though reports are out that Winker's signing takes them out of the Alonso sweepstakes.