Jesse Winker excited to join Mets after reported trade

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The New York Mets acquired outfielder Jesse Winker from the Washington Nationals on Saturday, adding a left-handed hitter in their push toward the playoffs.

Winker was informed of the trade during the Nationals’ 14-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night. The teams did not immediately release terms of the trade, which was first reported by ESPN.com.

“There were rumors and I was told during the game that I had been traded,” Winker said after hitting two singles and driving in a run. “It was that simple.”

Winker, an All-Star with Cincinnati in 2021, has rebuilt his career with the Nationals after receiving an invitation to spring training. He entered Saturday night’s game with a .372 on-base percentage, ranking eighth in the National League.

Winker is hitting .257 with 11 home runs and a career-high 14 stolen bases this season.

It’s the second trade in as many days for the Mets, who are third in the National League after losing to Atlanta on Saturday night. New York acquired reliever Ryne Stanek in a deal with Seattle on Friday.

The Mets have been without right fielder Starling Marte (knee) since late June.

“I’m really excited. I’m going to be a part of this great team that’s won a lot of games. It’s a great opportunity and I’m obviously extremely grateful to everyone here, to be able to come out and play every day,” Winker said.

“I’m very grateful to (general manager Mike Rizzo) and (manager) Davey (Martinez) and everybody. They really took a chance on me. And I feel like I owe them a lot for that. So I’m grateful.”

Martinez said he thought Winker still had “potential” when he arrived in Washington for spring training and had simply been slowed by injuries the past two seasons. He quickly became a part of the Nationals’ everyday roster.

“He made everybody relax, but he cared about each other. He cared a lot about the guys around him, his teammates,” Martinez said. “He helped our young guys. He’s very crafty when it comes to throwing against guys that are in front of him. He did everything we asked him to do.”

Winker was born in Buffalo, New York, and said he has always had a “very strong connection” to the area and is a Buffalo Bills fan.

“I appreciate everything he’s done. I appreciate the way he’s treated me. I have nothing but respect for him and his family,” Martinez said. “I wish him well.”