The New York Mets and free-agent outfielder Jesse Winker have reached an agreement to a one-year, $8 million deal, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Winker will receive a $1 million signing bonus in the contract.
Winker, 33, is best utilized as a designated hitter and occasional corner outfielder who plays against right-handed pitching. Additionally, Winker adds unmeasurable value as a veteran with a reputation as a positive clubhouse presence (at least in most of his past stops).
Mets to Re-Sign Jesse Winker
After an injury-plagued 2023 with the Milwaukee Brewers, Winker revamped his conditioning ahead of the 2024 season. The results paid off, as Winker appeared in 145 games and hit .253/.360/.405 with 14 homers and 14 stolen bases.
Winker thrives due to his mature approach at the plate. Among qualified MLB hitters, he ranked in the 96th percentile in both Walk rate (12.4%) and Chase rate (19%) while also posting a great 19.6% Whiff rate (ranked in the 78th percentile).
When executed well, this strategy makes a pitcher work harder, increases his pitch count, and leads to more mistakes. This means the pitcher is more likely to walk a hitter like Winker (who typically bats in front of run producers) or make mistakes in the zone for Winker to drive.
New York will bring back Winker mostly for his plate approach and platoon advantage against right-handed pitching. For his career, Winker has posted a .276/.379/.462 slash in 2,212 plate appearances against right-handers compared to a .210/.324/.338 in 563 plate appearances against left-handers.
Though he can contribute defensively, Winker’s value comes mostly from his offense. He recorded three Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) but -11 Outs Above Average in 566 2/3 left field innings last year. His performance was bad in a shorter sample in right field (-2 DRS and -2 OAA in 104 innings).
Winker has been slowed by a plethora of injuries, especially to his back and knee. However, he showed last year that he can still provide a spark with the bat and in the clubhouse.
Main Photo: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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