Jesse Winker certainly turned heads this postseason with the New York Mets, with his hot streak making some fans forget about his less-than-stellar September. Even though J.D.<\/p>\n
Martinez was in the spotlight for his slump, Winker\u2019s numbers without his grand slam weren\u2019t any more inspiring. Yet, come October, Winker found his groove, becoming a pivotal figure for the Mets\u2019 playoff hopes.<\/p>\n
The team is considering bringing him back in a dual role as a designated hitter (DH) and occasional outfielder.<\/p>\n
But let\u2019s play the \u201cWhat if\u201d game\u2014what if the Mets decide to chart a different course? Joc Pederson recently opted out of a $14 million deal, making him a compelling candidate. Pederson could bring a similar spark to the Mets that Winker did, with the bonus of a more consistent track record.<\/p>\n
Having spent his entire MLB career in the National League, Pederson wrapped up his stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks after just one season. Whether it was a financial decision or a change in scenery, Pederson\u2019s recent performance offers much to discuss. His time with the Diamondbacks featured a .275\/.393\/.515 slash line alongside 23 home runs and 64 RBIs in 449 plate appearances, a performance echoing his All-Star days with the San Francisco Giants in 2022.<\/p>\n
Those numbers came after a slightly less productive year, suggesting that the move to Arizona might have given his power stats a boost. It\u2019s noticeable that Pederson embraced the role of a left-handed DH, a trend some teams have grown weary of. Still, a DH platoon involving Pederson and someone like Starling Marte could be an appealing strategy for the Mets.<\/p>\n
Pederson\u2019s numbers against right-handed pitchers are impressive, as he posted a .281\/.392\/.531 slash line. Interestingly, he also managed a .405 on-base percentage against lefties, aided by a league-leading effort in getting hit by pitches. Pederson\u2019s batting prowess wasn\u2019t a product of his home field, as his road numbers were nearly identical, even if Coors Field proved to be a challenge.<\/p>\n
Yet the decision might come down to more than just numbers. Both Winker and Pederson share infectious energy and charisma that lights up a clubhouse. However, Winker\u2019s versatility on the field gives him an edge, considering Pederson\u2019s reluctance\u2014or rather, his declining ability\u2014to take up fielding duties.<\/p>\n
Financial considerations play a crucial role, as Pederson could command more than the Mets are willing to spend on a part-time player. But if it\u2019s the Winker-like energy and production the Mets are after, Pederson comes very close to fitting that bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jesse Winker certainly turned heads this postseason with the New York Mets, with his hot streak making some fans forget about his less-than-stellar September. Even though J.D…. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"yoast_head":"\n