Grading the Mets trade with the Nationals for Jesse Winker

We know what the price for 2+ months of Jesse Winker will be. To pick up the former New York Mets villain turned possible fan-favorite, the Washington Nationals will receive right-handed pitcher Tyler Stuart. A massive mountain of a man at 6’9, he caught our attention last year when he pitched his way to a 2.20 ERA in Brooklyn and Binghamton. This year it rose to 3.96 exclusively in Double-A.

There is still a lot to like about Stuart who has consistently thrown strikes. He doesn’t issue walks and has averaged more than a strikeout per inning as a professional and once again this season.

Trades within divisions always come with extra risk. What grade does this deal deserve?

Give the Mets a B for the Jesse Winker trade

The Mets didn’t give up too much in this deal. Stuart, while talented, seems to fall behind several other Mets pitching prospects. A good expectation is for him to go back to the bullpen where he spent most of his college career.

Nevertheless, seeing him go to the Nationals where he can punish the Mets for years has potential to make this a far more painful trade. The Nationals seeing Winker succeed with the Mets doesn’t matter much for a team still trying to re-find its footing as contenders.

The choice of Winker isn’t a bad one except it brings them an outfielder at a non-positional need. Mostly a left fielder, it could mean everything simply from Brandon Nimmo playing in right field while Starling Marte is out to something bolder like the Mets moving him into center fielder and either benching or more boldly trading Harrison Bader.

Winker was a good fit for the Mets even with Bader and Tyrone Taylor hitting well against right-handed pitchers this year. Winker has splits that are pretty even, but we should expect him to be more of an everyday player against righties with potential to play against lefties as well.

The B grade comes without knowing what teams were asking for other similar outfield rentals. Tommy Pham, Kevin Pillar, and Michael Conforto are all on the block having different types of seasons and with asking prices that should vary. 

Stuart has upside, but Winker is a capable everyday player. This is a reasonable cost for a 24-year-old in Double-A.

Winker is having a good year and was a worthy addition by the Mets at the price they paid. Like it. Enjoy it. Don’t sweat the cost.