Former Mariners outfielder is playing villain, spark plug role for surging Mets

If Jesse Winker is not on your favorite team, you probably hate him. He is loud, unapologetic, and unbelievably captivating. The 31-year-old corner outfielder was traded from the Nationals to the Mets this season, and has played an intriguing role for New York in the playoffs.

Winker, who made a one-year soured pit stop with the Mariners in 2022, has reached a newfound popularity as the hot-headed, long-haired villain for a winning club.

Mets fans got to know him on Aug. 21, when he arrived by slamming a walk-off home run against one of the best teams in Major League Baseball (the slipping Baltimore Orioles) to keep New York afloat as they made a push for a Wild Card spot.

Once he emphatically slammed his helmet to the ground while looking directly into his team's dugout, a 'star' was born in Jesse Winker.

Now, Winker is fitting right in with a red-hot Mets team in the postseason. In the Wild Card round against the Brewers, Winker slapped a triple, scored two runs and was plunked by two pitches (which Milwaukee's arms likely paid no mind doing) after he put the Brewers on blast. Winker publicly shared his negative feelings towards the Brewers organization afterwards, especially after apparently wanting to fight Willy Adames after one of the games.

“As far as Milwaukee goes, I’ll hate them forever," Winker told Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post.

There's a reason non-Mets MLB fans are starting to hate former Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker

After advancing to the NLCS, Winker's polarizing personality became a more perfect fit as the Mets took on the Phillies. He slammed a solo home run against ace Aaron Nola to give the Metropolitans a two-run lead in Game 3 (the team's return to Citi Field), and did so with flair and a stare.

Winker has reached base six times in five playoff contests this fall. Although he did not produce much for the Mets in 44 games (.243, three homers), Winker has provided Queens with a spice that has helped them pave their way to an appearance in the NLCS.

Is Winker the outright reason for this? No, but his dramatics have been helpful and undoubtedly memorable. The Mariners don't miss him, the Brewers don't miss him, but the Mets sure have no issue giving him a home.