Amidst heavy rumors about one former Met corner bat, the team brings back a different former Met corner bat.
The Mets have re-signed OF/DH Jesse Winker to a one-year, $7.5 million contract with incentives that could bring the total to $9 million. Winker slots back into the Mets’ starting lineup as the long side of a DH platoon with Starling Marte, while also adding additional depth to hedge against injury concerns around Brandon Nimmo’s foot.
Winker was acquired from the Nationals in exchange for Tyler Stuart at last year’s trade deadline. His overall line in New York wasn’t especially strong (.243/.318/.365, 97 wRC+), with a nebulous back injury seemingly limiting him at times. Nevertheless, Winker did have several big moments including in the NLCS versus the Dodgers, and his line on the season was a solid .253/.360/.405 (118 wRC+) with 14 home runs in 508 plate appearances.
This move has significant implications for the rest of the Mets’ offseason. Per Andy Martino, this likely means that Pete Alonso will not be returning to the Mets, and that seems logical given the crowded group of corner bat/DH options. At the same time, the Mets’ offense still looks a bit light on paper, with Brett Baty still part of the projected starting infield, assuming Mark Vientos slides over to first base. Names like Anthony Santander and Alex Bregman have been connected to the Mets, but the fit is more crowded with Winker back on the roster.