The New York Mets have had an impressive offseason so far, but their depth chart reveals there’s still work to be done. Losing Pete Alonso has left first base as a significant question mark.
With Alonso and Alex Bregman still on the market, the Mets remain contenders to sign one of them. They also have some roster flexibility: if they bring in Bregman or another top-tier third baseman, Mark Vientos could shift to first base to fill Alonso’s void. Conversely, if they re-sign Alonso, Vientos would stay at third.
But what happens if the Mets decide not to make any additional moves and pass on Alonso, Bregman, and other top free agents? They still have internal options to consider.
In that scenario, the team might turn to young, struggling third baseman Brett Baty, giving him an opportunity to rebound, similar to how Vientos did in 2024. If Baty doesn’t seize the role, the Mets could explore other alternatives.
Winker would give the Mets more options if he plays first
Jesse Winker, primarily a corner outfielder, was recently re-signed by the Mets and has expressed his willingness to play first base if needed.
“Winker says he’s ‘very comfortable’ playing some first base with the Mets if required. He mentioned that the idea of taking ground balls at first base to enhance defensive flexibility was brought up last year,” reporter Pat Ragazzo shared on X.
Last season, Winker recorded a 118 wRC+ and hit 14 home runs while playing for both the Washington Nationals and the Mets. While he’s no Pete Alonso, Winker could provide above-average offensive output at first base for a significantly lower cost.
If the Mets are serious about exploring this option, they should begin training him at the position immediately, as first base requires a distinct set of skills compared to outfield play.
Since debuting in the majors in 2017, Winker has only played left field, center field, and right field. Transitioning to a new position at 31 won’t be easy, but Winker understands that learning the role could greatly increase his chances of consistent playing time.
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