Mariners Sign Outfielder To Contract Extension

Although he hasn't gotten off to quite the start he would have liked for his new team, it's all good as far as the Seattle Mariners are concerned, as outfielder Jesse Winker has been signed to a two-year extension.

We’ve agreed to terms through the 2023 season with outfielder Jesse Winker.

🔗 https://t.co/3GJLqLop8c pic.twitter.com/hufaJT4mFQ

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 16, 2022

The two sides avoided arbitration by striking the deal, which will pay Winker $14.5M through 2023. He will then become an unrestricted free agent after that season.

Winker made his first All-Star game last year, as he broke out for the Cincinnati Reds with career-highs across the board, including batting (.305), OPS (.949), HR (24) and RBI (71). 

The one number that wasn't a career-best is games-played. This has been a problem for Winker throughout his major league career. Injuries have limited his ability to contribute to the fullest on the field. His six-year best was 113 games in 2019, and he played 110 last season. 

So far, so good this season on that front, as he's played in 61 of the Mariners' 63 games thus far. Now if he can do something about that .214 average and .634 OPS, both he and the Mariners will be thrilled. 

Photo Credit: homas Shea-USA TODAY Sports