It’s a small step from “loves to hate” to “loves to love.” Jesse Winker is on his way to the Mets, reportedly, and my morning perusal of available media indicates fans love this move without even knowing what the Mets are giving up.
I like it too. Winker is a good hitter, especially vs. right handed pitching, can steal bases, and play the outfield better than DJ Stewart, whom I’m afraid is about to lose his job. Who knows, maybe Stewart is in the package. Winker is also a colorful performer so some new energy on the team sounds like second-half fun. Ryne Stanek also matches that description; the Mets made it official by the way and gave him 55.
Winker’s favored number, 33, is technically not available as it belongs to Drew Smith but this is an unusual circumstance. Smith has an injury he won’t return from this year, and will be a free agent before he can pitch again. Add to that Smith never seemed to care much what number he wore, loving from 62 to 40 to 33 over his Mets career. Winker is currently wearing No. 6 for Washington.
Still time to add that starting pitcher we need. No reason to half-ass it now
Suspicious I say that we go and sign Ji Man Choi only hours after Daniel Vogelbach goes off the board. Both are rotund lefty sluggers who can’t be counted on as much beyond DHing and signed minor league deals (Vogelbach with Toronto). Who knows how the DH role will play out for the Mets this year. I’m not entirely sold on Mark Vientos or DJ Stewart quite yet. Not to suggest Choi is anything but a backup plan.