Winker, a 30-year-old, was a productive hitter while playing for the Reds for five years, from 2017-2021. He had an impressive .288/.385/.504 batting average in 413 games and was selected for the All Star game in 2021. However, in 2022, Winker was traded to the Mariners and his performance at the plate declined, hitting .219/.344/.344, which was close to league average. He was then traded to the Brewers in the following year, where his numbers fell even further to a .199/.320/.247 line due to neck injuries. While Winker may not have the consistent production that Rosario does, he has the potential for a greater impact if he can return to his previous form with the Reds.
This morning, the Nationals shared that they have chosen to add pitcher Matt Barnes, outfielder Eddie Rosario, and outfielder Jesse Winker to their team. In order to do so, they have moved pitcher Mason Thompson and pitcher Jose A. Ferrer to the 60-day injured list. The team’s 40-man roster is now full.
It is somewhat surprising that both Rosario and Winker have been included on the roster. While both are limited defensively and favor platoon roles as left-handed hitters, this did not dissuade the Nationals from adding them to the roster. Each outfielder has a strong case to make for their individual spot. Throughout his career, Rosario’s batting has been average, as evidenced by his .255/.305/.450 slash line and 100 wRC+ in 142 games with the Braves last season. These numbers align with his overall career statistics of .268/.305/.460 (102 wRC+), although it should be noted that he struggled in the 2022 season with a low .212/.259/.328 line due to vision problems. However, after undergoing a laser eye procedure, it is likely that Rosario will improve and perform at an average level as their regular left fielder. It is worth mentioning, though, that his strikeout rate increased from 16.5% during his peak years with the Twins (2017-2020) to 23.6% in the previous season.
Young outfielders Alex Call and Jacob Young were demoted to Triple-A last night, and manager Davey Martinez announced that Stone Garrett will start the season on the injured list. As a result, the team seems confident in their outfield mix, which will prominently feature both Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker. With Lane Thomas and Victor Robles already established as regular players in right and center field, Rosario and Winker will join left-handed hitter Joey Gallo in the lineup, while Joey Meneses will provide a right-handed option for all three spots. Gallo is expected to receive regular playing time at first base, leaving one spot in the lineup for either Rosario or Winker against left-handed pitchers. However, Winker’s poor .205/.321/.338 statistics against lefties make it likely that Rosario will receive the majority of starts until Garrett returns from the injured list.
It was no surprise that Barnes was selected for the roster. As a veteran with ten years of experience in the major leagues, the 33-year-old had a rough season with the Marlins, recording a 5.48 ERA despite a decent 4.15 FIP. However, prior to this, Barnes had a reputation as one of the most consistent relief pitchers in the game during his time with the Red Sox from 2016 to 2022. His ERA was 3.91 and his FIP was 3.42, with a high strikeout rate of 31.3% and an 11.3% walk rate. During those seven seasons, he also earned 47 saves and 96 holds while serving as a reliable member of the team’s bullpen. Now, in D.C., Barnes will have the opportunity to compete for a late-inning role alongside fellow experienced pitchers Hunter Harvey and Tanner Rainey, while working under closer Kyle Finnegan.
It comes as no surprise that Ferrer and Thompson will be on the 60-day injured list to begin the season. Thompson is recovering from Tommy John surgery, while Ferrer is managing a back strain that will likely prevent him from pitching for another 4-6 weeks, according to Martinez (via Nusbaum).