By admin 
After a disappointing stint with the Brewers, Jesse Winker reignites his career with the New York Mets and makes his feelings about Milwaukee crystal clear.
A Career Reborn in New York
Jesse Winker has officially signed a one-year deal with the New York Mets following a major resurgence in the 2024 season. Split between the Washington Nationals and the Mets, Winker’s performance was a far cry from his previous struggles. He tallied 14 home runs, 58 RBIs, and posted a solid .253/.360/.405 slash line, culminating in a respectable 2.0 WAR.
In a surprising twist, Winker also rediscovered his defensive form. After spending most of his disastrous 2023 season with the Milwaukee Brewers as a designated hitter, Winker returned to the outfield in 2024, making 85 defensive starts. Despite the Mets boasting elite outfielders like Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto, Winker is expected to fill a crucial role as a designated hitter, likely platooning with Starling Marte.
A Forgettable Chapter with the Brewers
Winker’s short-lived tenure with the Brewers in 2023 was marred by injury and poor performance. In just 61 games, he scraped together a disappointing .199 batting average and managed only one home run. Acquired in a trade that sent Kolten Wong to Seattle, Winker was expected to bolster Milwaukee’s lineup but failed to deliver.
The trade quickly became a regret for both sides. Abraham Toro, also part of the deal, barely contributed before moving to the Oakland A’s, while Wong struggled in Seattle and was shipped to the Dodgers.
Playoff Heroics Ignite Mets’ Faith
The Mets saw a different side of Jesse Winker when it mattered most. During the 2024 postseason, Winker elevated his game, delivering clutch performances in the Wild Card series against his former team, the Brewers. In Game 1, his two-run triple erased Milwaukee’s early lead, fueling an 8-4 victory.
Winker thrived in the postseason spotlight, hitting .318 with a .531 on-base percentage and drawing seven walks over 10 games. His fiery personality and timely hits made him a hero for the Mets and a villain in Milwaukee.
“I’ll Hate Them Forever”: A Brutally Honest Confession
Winker didn’t hold back when asked about his relationship with Milwaukee.
“As far as Milwaukee goes, I’ll hate them forever. It’s part of sports, these fans, they can react to you however they want. They pay the tickets. They’re the veins and lifeblood of our sport. But I’ll hate the city of Milwaukee forever.”
His blunt remarks only deepened the divide between him and Brewers fans, many of whom were frustrated by his underwhelming stint with the team.
Brewers Move Forward, but Winker Looms
The Brewers have shifted focus, relying on young talent like rookie Jackson Chourio, who smashed 21 home runs in his debut season. Veterans Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick are also expected to play key roles in 2025.
Despite Winker’s departure, Brewers fans won’t have to wait long to see him again. Milwaukee is set to face the Mets in a July series in New York, followed by a home series in August.
The Brewers have been active in the offseason, acquiring Yankees starter Nestor Cortes and bringing back familiar faces like Jake Bauers. Yet, the shadow of Jesse Winker’s departure—and his lingering resentment—will undoubtedly add fuel to the fire when the teams clash.
A Season of High Stakes Awaits
As Jesse Winker embarks on this new chapter with the Mets, both he and the Brewers have something to prove. For Winker, it’s about cementing his resurgence and silencing critics. For Milwaukee, it’s about showing they’re better off without him.
When these two paths cross again in 2025, expect nothing less than fireworks.