With the trade deadline just days away, contending teams are ramping up their pushes for the playoffs. One of them is the New York Mets. They enter the deadline with a lot of help needed to their pitching, both in the starting rotation and the bullpen. However, as general manager David Stearns searches for more help to the pitching, it didn’t stop him from adding a bat to a solid lineup. Late Saturday night, the Mets reportedly made a deal to acquire Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal is pending physical. The Nationals return in this is deal still to be determined.
BREAKING: The New York Mets are acquiring outfielder Jesse Winker in a trade with the Washington Nationals, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2024
After signing for $2M this winter, Winker has been excellent, hitting .253/.372/.417 while playing a solid left field.
The biggest Mets addition yet.
The Jesse Winker-to-the-Mets deal is in the medical phase right now, so it is not officially done. The hope is that it will be completed soon.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2024
What Winker Means For The Mets
It’s an interesting move by the Mets to add to their offense and outfield, but it makes sense. Currently, Starling Marte is on the injured list, and it’s unknown when he’ll be back. Harrison Bader, who has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets, is dealing with an ankle injury. Those injuries have opened the door for DJ Stewart and Tyrone Taylor to get playing time. While Taylor has contributed, Stewart has really struggled. Adding Winker gives the team another viable outfielder who can hit and a left-handed bat that they do need to balance out the lineup.
Winker has also been very good against right-handed pitching this season, while Marte has been good against left-handed pitching.
Here’s why Jesse Winker is a great fit with the Mets:
— Chris Bello (@Chris_Bello_SJU) July 28, 2024
Starling Marte vs LHP: .333/.395/.522
Winker vs RHP: .261/.387/.447
Newest Met Jesse Winker has killed right-handed pitching this season:
— James Villani (@jvillani08) July 28, 2024
.261/.387/.447 (.834 OPS) 10 HRs
Extremely low chase rate and solid whiff rate resulting in a 97th percentile walk rate.
Outfield range can be problematic, but very strong arm. #Mets #LGM
On the season, Winker is hitting .253/.417/.788 with a .128 OPS+. He’s notched 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 53 walks, 14 stolen bases, and 79 hits. The Mets hope that Winker adds a veteran presence and depth to an offense that has done well over the last few months.
Main Photo Credits: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
