Mets re-sign Jesse Winker to one-year, $8 million contract

The Mets have shored up their outfield depth by bringing a fan favorite back into the fold. Plus, could the club be pivoting away from Pete Alonso?

The Mets shored up their left-handed outfield depth with a familiar face on Thursday, signing OF Jesse Winker, according to SNY.

The deal is pending a physical and is for one year and $8 million, according to the New York Post.

There was probably no easier layup for the Mets to take this winter than with Winker. He was every bit of what the Mets needed in his role upon arriving at the trade deadline through the playoffs in 2024, fit right in culturally, became popular in the room and popular with the fans, and can serve in a variety of roles for the team at a relatively modest cost.

He produced a .788 OPS against right-handed pitching in 2024, won a game with a home run in August, and showed the energy, character and personality he has long been known for. The Mets also need to endeavor to be a little more left-handed up and down their roster - Winker just seems like an ideal fit all around for this roster spot.

He called it a, “dream come true” to play for the Mets at the end of the NLCS. He has embraced this team, the fans have embraced him. So, it made sense to bring Winker back on a short-term deal, which is what he and the Mets ultimately agreed to. He does a lot of things the Mets are going to need heading into 2025 and he won’t be a major expense for this team with respect to the value he can bring to the roster next season.

Winker signed a minor league deal with a $2 million major league contract with the Nationals in last February.

Meanwhile, SNY’s Andy Martino says the Mets are pivoting to a Plan B to signing Pete Alonso, noting they believe the “most likely outcome” is for him to sign elsewhere.

If that is the case, the Mets would have to consider moving Mark Vientos to first base and either sign a free agent third baseman or allow Brett Baty and/or Ronny Mauricio to win the job out of camp.