Jesse Winker got to a Mets team in late July that had been hovering around .500 for most of the season.
By the end of the year, the Mets came within two wins of the World Series.
The 31-year-old Winker is back with the Mets on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million, and will be teammates with Juan Soto, which gives the team some of the same expectations they had in the second half of 2024.
Asked during a Zoom call on Wednesday if he felt there was “unfinished business” following last year’s loss to the Dodgers in the NLCS, Winker said, “For sure.”
“I think anytime you come that close to getting to the World Series, you’re always gonna want to give it another shot,” Winker said. “You never know how close you’re gonna be again. It’s precious.”
The roster figures to look considerably different in 2025, as the Mets added Soto on a 15-year, $765 million deal, as well as Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas to the rotation and A.J. Minter to the bullpen.
Sean Manaea was brought back on a three-year, $75 million deal, but Luis Severino left for Sacramento to join the A’s.
The Mets remain in the market for more relief help and there continues to be a question mark at first base.
Pete Alonso remains a free agent and, at least for now, the Mets’ plan appears to be to move Mark Vientos across the diamond from third base and go with an unproven quantity like Brett Baty, Ronny Maurico or Luisangel Acuña at third.
How the lefty-swinging Winker factors into the mix remains to be seen.
He said Wednesday he believes his role would be “very similar” to what he did after coming over from the Nationals prior to the trade deadline, which was playing some corner outfield, some DH, as well as coming off the bench.
Winker added that he played a bit of first base during a rehab assignment in 2023, and felt comfortable enough to fill in at the spot on occasion.
What the Mets need more, though, is for Winker to produce at the plate like he did in spurts last season — and in the playoffs, when his energy and emotion helped spark the team, along with Jose Iglesias, who’s also still on the free agent market.
When he joined the club last season, Winker had something of a contentious relationship with Mets fans from his days with Cincinnati, when he drew their wrath by waving to the crowd after a home run, but it turned into a lovefest by the end of the postseason.
He hopes that continues.
“This fan base, they carried us,” Winker said. “We wouldn’t have been able to do anything without them. It’s a special city, a special place.”
And it ended with what Winker called “a cool experience. Hopefully this year we can make it happen again.”
