Games against the Nationals are getting more interesting.
Ben Gamel was signed to a minor league contract by the New York Mets on Monday, increasing their depth in the outfield. This is a predictable move given that he was formerly a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He will be among the MLB veterans in St. Lucie this spring, looking to move up the depth chart as the team attempts to determine who will be the first to be called up to the majors in the event of an injury.
There isn’t much of a response when Gamel is added. However, what one of the NL East rivals did a few hours later stirs emotions.
The rivalry between Mets supporters and Jesse Winker may resurface more frequently than once a year.
Jesse Winker, a minor league free agent, will report to the Washington Nationals’ camp alongside two former Mets. Adonis Medina, Stephen Nogosek, and Robert Gsellman had all recently inked minor league contracts with the team. We are familiar with Winker from his days with the Cincinnati Reds, even though he is not a former Met.
In May 2019, Winker and Mets supporters got into a feud that involved, of all things, the then-Reds outfielder sending out what was perceived to be taunting waves following a Cincinnati victory. What seemed to be the unlikeliest rivalry of the year was maintained with a home run off of Edwin Diaz and an ejection of Winker in the ninth inning of a different game in the series. Later on, the parties did decide to put their differences behind them, and he publicly expressed his gratitude to Mets supporters. For a guy who would eventually be a free agent, it was a wise move.
Winker was a rebound candidate who actually would have fit in well with the Mets prior to this trade. He could have been a halfway decent option for the club to hold in Syracuse and see if there’s anything left in his bat. At this point, he’s much more of a DH than an actual corner outfielder. His awful season with the Brewers the previous season only called for a minor league contract. Not that we know New York was ever interested in the first place, but it makes sense why he would choose the Nationals over the Mets given that they probably have much more flexibility when it comes to playing time.
Winker’s minor league contract does not ensure that he will play in the major leagues beyond a few potential spring training at-bats against the Mets.
Will Winker be forced to stay in Rochester, where the Triple-A team plays, during his time with this new ball club, or can we add him to the list of possible Mets killers who will sign with an NL East rival?