As he tries to win with Mets, Winker thanks Nats for giving him chance

NEW YORK – Shortly after the Nationals traded him to the Mets, Jesse Winker found himself facing the Mariners, one of his former teams. Then the Reds, with whom he spent the bulk of his time in the major leagues. And now, this week, the Nats, his most recent employer and the one that may have resurrected his career.

“It’s crazy. When I got traded, I’ve played every team that I’ve played for,” he said. “And then we play the Brewers the next road trip, so it’s great. It’s really cool, man.”

Winker has become a bit of a baseball nomad in recent years. After five seasons in Cincinnati that culminated with an All-Star selection, the outfielder has now played for four different teams the last three seasons, going from Seattle to Milwaukee to Washington to New York.

His stint in D.C. was the shortest, lasting only four months. But it might well have been the most important stint he’s had to date.

After struggling with performance and injuries last year with the Brewers, Winker faced a crossroads entering 2024. He said he received only one offer for a big league contract, declining to name the particular team, plus only two offers for minor league deals with an invitation to spring training. The Nationals were one of those two, and ultimately he decided to accept their offer and reported to West Palm Beach hoping to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster.

Winker didn’t just make the roster. He wound up becoming an invaluable member of their daily lineup. In 101 games, he slashed .257/.374/.419, delivering 18 doubles, 11 homers and 45 RBIs.

So when he was traded to the Mets at the July 30 deadline for pitching prospect Tyler Stuart, he made sure to credit the Nationals for giving him the opportunity to resurrect his career.

“We could only do so much,” manager Davey Martinez said. “I’m proud of him for putting the work in. I tried to be there for him when he needed me, but ultimately he put all the work in and he got himself back to the player that he once was. For that, I’m proud of him.”

While the three other players the Nats dealt at the deadline (Lane Thomas, Hunter Harvey, Dylan Floro) have struggled or gotten hurt with their new clubs, Winker has proven just as valuable to the Mets during their second half surge toward a postseason berth. In 40 games, he’s slashing .267/.328/.400, with three homers including a memorable walk-off that spurred him to embark on a wild celebration around the bases.

So, is it fair to say things have gone very well for him in New York?

“It’s hard to say when we still have 11 very important games left,” he said. “I would have a better answer once we’re able to secure a playoff spot and get in. That’s what I was brought in here to do: To help. So until we accomplish what we’re trying to accomplish as a team, I can’t give you a true answer. But it’s been really cool being a part of the playoff race and being a part of this team and being on this side. It’s been really cool.”

Winker could wind up getting a chance to make a name for himself this October and earn a guaranteed contract with someone for the 2025 season. If he does, he’ll still credit the Nationals for giving him a chance hardly anyone else was willing to give him at the start of the year.

“They gave me the opportunity to reestablish my career,” he said. “So I don’t know what I would do to repay them, but I have to do something. I’m just extremely grateful for them. … After spring training, for them to just kind of give me that run, it was unbelievable. And something that not just me, but my whole family is very thankful for.”