With negotiations with homegrown slugger Pete Alonso stalled, the Mets appeared to have moved on to Plan B, signing a top-tier reliever (left-hander A.J. Minter) and bringing back Winker.

Jesse Winker got to a Mets team in late July that had been hovering around .500 for most of the season. By the end of the year, the Mets came within two wins of the World Series. The 31-year-old Winker is back with the Mets on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million,

The New York Mets may still find a way to reunite with first baseman Pete Alonso. But what if 2024 really was the end? Last week, the Mets began their pivot away from Alonso by signing free-agent outfielder Jesse Winker,