Obviously it is annoying Atlanta Braves have done so little this offseason and as the offseason ticks down, that annoyance is starting to grow. However, it is sometimes just as important to know which moves to not make and the Mets seem to have made one such move.
On the surface, Jesse Winker seems like a guy the Braves should have had some interest in strictly based on the fact that he is a corner outfielder who hits left-handed. At times, he has also been a productive player and he played a key role in New York's playoff run last year. However, he also has a bit of a reputation as being difficult to like at times and one need only see the scorched earth he left behind in Seattle and Milwaukee as examples.
Fortunately, the decision is out of the Braves' hands now as the Mets decided to bring Winker back for real money and the reason for it is absolutely amazing for Atlanta.
Jesse Winker deal is actually 1 yr for $7.5M with a chance to reach $9M via bonuses.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 16, 2025
Stalled Pete Alonso talks and Winker signing by Mets is music to Braves fans' ears
Bringing back Winker isn't a sin in itself. While he might be a clubhouse cancer in certain situations and he probably needs heightened security in the city of Milwaukee, Winker did play pretty well last year with the Mets and they know what they are getting into. Why they thought he was worth as much as $9 million is anyone's guess, but that is basically the same amount of money in Steve Cohen's couch and isn't going to make much of a difference there.
However, the reason WHY they felt compelled to go grab Winker does matter a lot. According to a report that came out immediately after the Winker signing, New York is currently pivoting to other moves right because it looks like they will not be bringing Pete Alonso back.
The Mets have pivoted to plan B, post-Alonso. They now consider it the most likely outcome that Alonso will sign elsewhere. They add Winker and will add a reliever, possibly a top one.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) January 16, 2025
We don't know how good the Mets will actually look by the time the season start, but that is an indictment of their offseason more than anything. They signed the best free agent on the market in Juan Soto who is going to be very, very good, but it is unclear how much better they are right now. Now it looks like are going to be without Alonso, their starting pitching is probably worse on paper, and they just had to overpay for a roleplayer outfielder who could combust as soon as things don't go his way.
For the Braves, this is ideal. The Mets could have run away with the offseason if they wanted to and the NL East would have been a true bloodbath. Instead, New York seems to not be able to follow through on the Soto deal while Atlanta lies waiting to strike and with a soon-to-be healthy and very deep roster even if they stand pat.