Jesse Winker and the New York Mets have agreed to a one-year contract, according to a source familiar with the deal, which was reported on Thursday. The deal is pending a successful physical. This move might suggest that the team does not expect to re-sign slugger Pete Alonso.
Winker was traded to the Mets from Washington on July 28. In 44 games with New York last season, the outfielder hit .243 with three home runs and 13 RBIs.
He played an important role in the postseason, hitting a two-run triple in the Wild Card Series opener against Milwaukee, homering off Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola in Game 3 of the Division Series, and contributing an RBI triple in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 31-year-old left-handed hitter had a .253 batting average, 14 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a .764 OPS for the season. Afterward, he became a free agent.
With the Mets’ recent acquisition of right fielder Juan Soto on a 15-year, $765 million contract, Winker could see significant playing time at designated hitter alongside Starling Marte.
Throughout his eight seasons in Major League Baseball, Winker has a .262 career batting average, 95 home runs, 324 RBIs, and an .804 OPS. He has played with Cincinnati (2017-2021), Seattle (2022), Milwaukee (2023), the Nationals, and the Mets. Winker was named an All-Star in 2021 when he posted career-high numbers, hitting .305 with 24 home runs and 71 RBIs.
This contract with Winker may indicate that the Mets are shifting their focus and resources in another direction. Pete Alonso, who is also a free agent, has had talks with the Mets, but no agreement has been reached. Alonso, a four-time All-Star, turned 30 in December and has hit 226 home runs in six seasons with New York.
