Former Cincinnati Reds' All-Star Could Get Squeezed Out of Roster Spot in Washington
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After the Washington Nationals signed free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario, it looks like the days could be numbered for former All-Star Jesse Winker.
Per Mark Zuckerman, who covers the Nationals for MASN:
Rosario has played left field most of his career (895 of his 964 total games in the outfield). He has 11 Defensive Runs Saved there. The safe bet would have him there on Opening Day.
What’s the domino effect on the rest of the Nationals? Joey Gallo, the team’s biggest offseason signing at $5 million, appears destined to play first base. That would bump Joey Meneses back to the DH role he held the majority of last season. Which would bump Jesse Winker … where, exactly?
Winker, who also signed a minor league deal just before camp opened, looked like a strong bet to make the club as a left-handed bat who can play left field or DH. But it seems unlikely he’d beat out Rosario, Gallo or Meneses for a job.
Manager Davey Martinez did say there's a possibility that both Rosario and Winker could be on the roster together, but again, it's unlikely.
Winker has played well this spring, hitting .350 (7-for-20), so even if he doesn't land in Washington, he could get a chance somewhere else. The strong spring is important for Winker, who has seen his numbers fall off a cliff the last two years.
The 30-year-old was an All-Star in 2021 for the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .305 with 24 homers and 71 RBI that season. However, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners before the 2022 season and hit just .219 with a .344 on-base percentage. He saw his power dissipate, hitting just 14 homers and bringing in 53.
Things didn't get much better in 2023 after a trade to Milwaukee. He played in just 61 games for the Brewers, hitting one home run and bringing in 23. He had a .199 batting average and a .320 on-base percentage.
The Nationals open up the season on March 28 against the Cincinnati Reds.
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