“I’m not going to back down” - Willy Adames says Jesse Winker never showed up in the parking lot to settle heated argument

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames was intent on resuming his quarrel with New York Mets slugger Jesse Winker off the field after the pair exchanged heated words during Game 1 of their National League Wild Card Series. Adames said he challenged Winker to see him in the parking lot of American Family Field after the game to settle the score between them, but the latter did not show up.

During the game, Jesse Winker hit a crucial two-run triple to help his team come from behind against the Brewers. The video replays showed the Mets player to be making a comment in the direction of Willy Adames just before reaching second base. Upon reaching safely at third, Winker ensued in a chirping duel with Adames as both players dished out some hot words at each other.

According to expert lipreader Jimmy O'Brien, a.k.a. Jomboy, Jesse Winker kept repeating, "What are you going to do [about it]?" to which Willy Adames had replied, “I’ll let you know in the parking lot after the game.”

On Thursday, Adames spoke to The New York Post regarding the confrontation and confirmed the inference Jomboy made after studying the video footage.

“He just started yelling to me straight up," Adames said. "In the heat of the moment, I’m not going to back down. So we were just chirping. I don’t know what he was mad about.”

“I told him that when we were chirping at each other,” he continued, confirming Jomboy’s report.

“I was there [in the lot],” he added, saying Winker didn’t turn up for the showdown.

Adames and Winker were teammates for the Milwaukee Brewers last year. Winker was traded to the Washington Nationals at the start of this season before ending up with the New York Mets at the trade deadline.

"I want to come back": Willy Adames on his free agency

Willy Adames recorded 32 home runs and 112 RBIs in 2024 (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Willy Adames has enjoyed a successful three and a half years with the Milwaukee Brewers since he was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays in the middle of the 2021 campaign. Adames is set to be a free agent this offseason, although he has expressed his desire to remain with the franchise in the future.

“I want to come back. I love them, and they love me,” Adames said per the New York Post. But we can’t control that. We’ll see if they want me,” he added.

Adames batted .251/.331/.462 with an OPS+ of 118 this season, with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. But the Brewers will likely have to offer a big-money long-term deal to bring him back to the team next year.