Mets general manager David Stearns added a reliever on Friday and is expected to acquire a quality hitter on Saturday to improve the team’s outfield depth.
The Mets and Nationals agreed to a deal late Saturday night to send outfielder Jesse Winker to Queens. Joel Sherman of the Post confirmed this.His return is still unknown.
The deal is currently in the medical phase. According to ESPN’s Jeff PassanSo, it’s not officially finished yet and is expected to be completed soon.
On Friday, Stearns acquired right-handed relief pitcher Ryne Stanek from the Mariners.
The Mets are also believed to still be searching for additional pitchers following news that ace Kodai Senga will miss the remainder of the regular season with a serious calf injury.
The 30-year-old Winker, who is set to become a free agent, is having a solid season, batting .257/.374/.419 with a slugging percentage of .793.
He’ll likely split time in right field with Jeff McNeil and be used as both a starter and off the bench against right-handed pitching.
Winker has an .834 OPS and 10 home runs in 226 at-bats against right-handed pitchers.
The Mets were hoping DJ Stewart could fill that role after a strong showing at the end of last year, but he has struggled.
Starling Marte last played for the Mets on June 22 and has been on the disabled list since with a bone bruise in his right knee. It is unclear how long it will take for him to return.
Over the past few years, Winker has interacted with Mets fans at Citi Field.
It started in 2019, when he was a member of the Reds, when he hit a game-winning home run in one game and waved to the fans at the end of the game.
Later in the series, he made a sliding catch to end the game and waved it off again.
He once traded a ball for a fan’s autograph that read, “Jesse Winker, you’re a clean slut.”
“Honestly, I love Mets fans,” Winker previously said about Mets fans. “They’re great people. They’re so passionate about the team and the city.”
Now he will join Mets fans as Citi Field will be his home for the remainder of this season.
