Even after adding Juan Soto to the lineup, the Mets still lacked some pop as the calendar turned to 2025.
They have made a move to address that gap, reaching a deal to bring back Jesse Winker, according to reports. SNY’s Andy Martino was the first to report the agreement.
Winker rejoins the Mets after being acquired from the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline last July. The 31-year-old Buffalo, New York, native slashed .243/.318/.365 with three home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs and five doubles in 44 games down the stretch in the 2024 season.
With spring training rapidly approaching, the Mets had a hole at designated hitter with both Winker and J.D. Martinez hitting free agency. Winker will be a familiar face on a Mets roster that has added Soto in right field and Jose Siri in center field after a November trade with the Rays.
The eight-year veteran gives the Mets four definitive left-handed hitters, joining Soto, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, plus the switch-hitting Francisco Lindor.
Jesse Winker’s biggest Mets moments
Winker, who began his career as a corner outfielder, spent the majority of the season at designated hitter. He also provided some of the Mets’ most electric moments in the season’s final months. He hit a walk-off solo home run against the Orioles on Aug. 21, eighth-inning grand slam against the Red Sox on Sept. 4 and a game-tying two-run triple in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Brewers.
“Just a blessing. It’s a blessing to be a part of something bigger than yourself,” Winker said following his walk-off home run. “And so, it’s really cool. There’s so many guys in here that I’ve known for a really long time. I’ve known Francisco (Lindor) since we were 9 years old, so to get to come here and get to help any way you can, it’s what you dream about.”
Jesse Winker’s history with Mets fans
In the process, Winker shed his persona as a Mets villain that was earned during the 2019 season with the Reds when he waved to fans after a game-winning home run and then taunted the fans again two days later after making game-clinching sliding catch.
The Mets fans never forgot as Winker career bounced to the Mariners and Brewers before he signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Nationals in 2024. In 145 games last season, Winker posted a .764 OPS with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 63 runs and 23 doubles.
The Nationals received right-handed pitching prospect Tyler Stuart in the deal that shipped away Winker.
