How Winker fits into the Mets' 2025 puzzle

This story was excerpted from the Mets Beat newsletter. This week, Bill Ladson is filling in for Anthony DiComo. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK -- With Jesse Winker back with the Mets on a one-year deal (pending a physical), it will be interesting to see what position he plays in 2025. While he can play all three outfield positions, the spots are filled with Brandon Nimmo in left, Juan Soto in right and Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri battling for center.

J.D. Martinez is not expected to be back with the Mets as the designated hitter, so Winker could be part of a platoon with Starling Marte. Winker has played in 159 games as a DH, with a slash line of .215/.327/.368, 17 home runs and 73 RBIs.

First base is up in the air because free agent Pete Alonso is not expected to return to the Mets, according to SNY.com. That leaves the door open for infielder Mark Vientos to take over the position as long as the team can find an everyday third baseman, a position he played last year. If Vientos remains at third base, Winker could find himself in a platoon situation at first.

While he has never played first base in the big leagues, Winker played 13 Minor Leagues games at the position with Milwaukee in 2023. Winker played a combined 99 innings at first for Triple-A Nashville and High-A Wisconsin without making an error.

Winker, who came to Queens prior to the MLB Trade Deadline last July, brought energy to a Mets team that reached the National League Championship Series before losing to the Dodgers in six games.