The New York Mets have acquired a veteran outfielder from Washington Nationals Jesse Winker. The team announced this news on Sunday morning.
He was in the lineup for the Nationals Saturday match in St Louis but was removed from the game after just three at-bats. For this trade, the Mets are sending Tyler Stuart to the Nationals. Tyler Stuart was a sixth-round pick in 2022 and he has made 17 starts in Double-A this year with a 3.96 ERA.
The 30-year-old MLB veteran Winker is having a really nice bounce-back season after a horrible year with Milwaukee in 2023. He’s hitting .257/.374/.419 with 18 doubles, 11 homers, 45 RBI, 51 runs and 14 stolen bases. If we don’t count Saturday’s game, he has posted 2.0 WAR this season.
Currently, the Mets are using the services of Jeff McNeil and Tyrone Taylor in right field while Harrison Bader plays in center and Brandon Nimmo plays left. With the addition of Winker, their team composition is changed. He will take over in right field with McNeil returning to second base.
With the addition of Winker, the New York Mets also have the option of a left-side player. McNeil and Nimmo are the only left-handed players who start regularly for the Mets. Apart from them, Francisco Lindor is a switch hitter on the team. It would be beneficial for them with the addition of another left-hander.
After the loss on Saturday, the Mets are now 55-49, which is good for a third wild-card spot.