Former Reds All-Star Jesse Winker putting past behind him with new start in Milwaukee
PHOENIX – After Jesse Winker had the worst season of his Major League career, it’s understandable he doesn’t want to revisit the past.
“It wasn't a good year for me,” Winker said. “It's that simple. I'm excited I got some things put behind me and I can just play.”
One year after Jesse Winker put together his first All-Star season, emerging as one of the top hitters against righthanded pitching in the majors, nothing went right for him.
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He was stunned when the Cincinnati Reds traded him last March, the headliner in a six-player deal with the Seattle Mariners. He never recovered from a slow start to the season, perhaps pressing too much in a tougher ballpark to hit.
Always known as a bat-first player, Winker’s offensive numbers cratered in Seattle. He hit a career-low .219 with 14 homers and 53 RBI in 136 games. His OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) dropped from an excellent .949 in 2021 to a below-average .688.
Winker was in jeopardy of being left off Seattle’s playoff roster before he went on the injured list at the end of the year. He underwent knee and neck surgeries in the offseason.
“Yeah, I was playing through some stuff, but we all play through stuff,” Winker said. “That's not an excuse. I've always said this is a no excuse league.”
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The Seattle Times reported some of his teammates grew tired of Winker and were critical of the way he prepared for games. The Mariners, who parted with pitching prospects Brandon Williamson and Connor Phillips in their trade for Winker, promptly dealt Winker to the Milwaukee Brewers in December for second baseman Kolten Wong.
From the moment Winker was traded on the first day of spring training, it turned into a season that snowballed on him.
Trade from Reds was 'shocker'
“It was a shocker,” Winker said of being traded by the Reds. “I wasn't thinking about being traded at all last year. Only having a three-week spring training and being traded to a place I've never been to, it was new. But that year is behind me. I learned a lot from it.”
Winker, 29, was walking around the Brewers clubhouse last week in a black sweatshirt. On the back, in gold lettering, were the words, “Find the good.”
The December trade gave him a return to some normalcy. He’s back in the National League Central. He’s closer to his 2-year-old daughter, Wren, who remained in Cincinnati after he was traded. The Brewers’ clubhouse is full of former teammates, including Wade Miley, Tyler Naquin, Josh VanMeter and Justin Wilson.
Miley was happy to hear Winker giving him friendly trash talk before they faced each other in a live batting practice session Friday, telling Miley he would hit a homer off him.
“I think Wink was a little miserable out in Seattle,” Miley said. “I don't want to get into his personal life, but his family was not there, his little girl. I know he's really happy right now. Happy Winker is good for everybody. Get the swag back and get the Wink show started. The man can hit, for sure.”
The Brewers are counting on Winker returning toward his All-Star form. They saw how much his presence can impact a lineup.
During the 2021 season, Winker’s performance helped lift Jonathan India, Nick Castellanos and Joey Votto to stellar offensive seasons around him.
“Playing against (the Brewers) for so long, watching how they compete and go about their business was always super impressive,” Winker said. “I'm just excited to be here. Being in the Central is great. Being closer to my daughter is amazing. So, I'm happy.”
Winker, who will be a free agent after the 2023 season, knows he is a better player than he showed in Seattle. For whatever reasons, his time with the Mariners just didn’t work out well for either side.
But the past is the past. Milwaukee is Winker’s focus now.
“I think you're always motivated as a player,” Winker said. “I don't think a bad season or anything like that provides any extra motivation. There are things we all want to do in this game and that starts with winning. To be a part of a winning team, winning culture is motivating enough.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jesse Winker, Brewers outfielder, putting Mariners past behind him
