After a successful few months with the Mets, Jesse Winker agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal to return for 2025, the club announced on Friday. The deal includes a $1 million signing bonus, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

Winker, 31, had an overall solid 2024 season, hitting 14 homers with a .360 on-base percentage in 145 games with the Nationals and Mets. Though he had an OPS of just .683 in 44 games after his Deadline trade to New York, Winker's postseason performance -- including his positive vibes and overall energy level -- was exactly what the Mets and their fans hoped to get when he was acquired and showed the value he adds to a lineup.

His signature moment with the Mets came on Aug. 21 against the Orioles in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the count 3-2 and reliever Seranthony Dom¨ªnguez on the mound, Winker clubbed his first Mets home run over the center-field fence for a 4-3 victory. Winker paused in front of the home dugout and let out a roar, slamming his helmet to the ground before shedding his elbow guard at first base.

But Winker wasn't quite finished with his memorable trip around the bases. As he rounded third, Winker pointed at his teammates like a choreographer, telling them to part the way for him as he reached home. The first Met to greet him was Francisco Lindor, and then Winker went down the line high-fiving his teammates before finally stomping on the plate. It was the Mets¡¯ first pinch-hit walk-off home run since Amed Rosario did the trick against the Yankees on Aug. 28, 2020.

In 10 games across the National League Wild Card Series, Division Series and Championship Series, Winker hit .318 with a 1.168 OPS and scored seven runs. His contributions included a homer, two triples and four RBIs as the Mets kept finding ways to win during an improbable postseason run. In the NLCS, Winker reached base 11 times across six games to help the Mets keep the line moving against the Dodgers.

For his career, Winker remains an above-average hitter with pop and strong on-base skills, all of which are aided by an exceptional eye at the plate. Both his walk rate and chase rate are in MLB's 96th percentile, which helps explain a lifetime .367 on-base percentage and .804 OPS. On defense, Winker can play all three outfield spots and has an elite arm, which is in MLB's 97th percentile.

It will be interesting to see where Winker plays this season. While he can play all three outfield positions, those spots are filled with Brandon Nimmo in left field, Juan Soto in right and Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri vying for center field.

J.D. Martinez is not expected to be back with the Mets, so Winker could be the club¡¯s designated hitter. Winker also has experience at first base -- he played 13 Minor League games there with the Brewers in 2023 -- so he could see some playing time at the corner if the Mets don¡¯t re-sign Pete Alonso.