The Washington Nationals have signed former All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker to a minor league deal.
Per Andrew Golden of the Washington Post on social media:
The Nationals have signed Jesse Winker to a minor league deal, per source. Winker has an invite to spring training. Another lefty OF bat in the mix.
Winker's numbers have fallen off a cliff over 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, projected to finish last in the National League East, could be the kind of team that has opportunity for Winker to try to find himself, but they also have young outfielders like Dylan Crews knocking on the door of the big leagues. Right now, Alex Call, Joey Gallo, Stone Garrett, Victor Robles, Lane Thomas and Jacob Young are outfielders on the 40-man roster.
Crews and James Wood are both outfielders and they serve as the Nats top-two prospects.
Washington will open up the season on March 28 on the road at the Reds.
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