Just In: Dodgers Expected to Land Mets $2.4M All-Star in…
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, but are expected to be active in free agency as they look to win back-to-back titles. The outfield is one area the team could look to add an impact player.
While predicting every team’s Opening Day lineup, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted that the Dodgers would sign New York Mets postseason star Jesse Winker.
“The Dodgers can turn to some combination of Andy Pages, James Outman, Chris Taylor and top prospect Dalton Rushing to fill the other corner outfield spot, but adding a productive veteran such as Jesse Winker would help take some pressure off that group,” wrote Reuter. “If he can be had on a one-year deal, he would be a nice under-the-radar pickup.”
Spotrac projects Winker to sign a one-year, $2.4 million deal in free agency. After a down season with the Milwaukee Brewers, Winker signed with the Washington Nationals before he was traded to the Mets. Winker is not a great defender but he still made 92 appearances in the outfield in 2024.
Winker had a resurgent year and could be a valuable addition to the Dodgers. He slashed .253/.360/.405 with 14 home runs. If the Dodgers return Teoscar Hernández in 2025, he and Winker could man the corner outfield spots. Winker has a minus-11 outs above average, but his bat would be what the Dodgers are paying for.
In the postseason, Winker slashed .318/.531/.636 with one home run, four RBIs and two triples. The 31-year-old still has some power even though he is three seasons removed from his All-Star season with the Cincinnati Reds when he hit a career-high 24 home runs.
