Mets trade for Jose Siri, send reliever Orze to Rays

NEW YORK -- For most of last season, the Mets rotated between Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader as their primary center fielders. This year, it appears the Bader role will go to Jose Siri.

The Mets on Tuesday acquired Siri from the Rays for reliever Eric Orze. Siri, who had been with the Rays since 2022, is an elite center field defender who was tied for second in baseball at the position last season with 16 Outs Above Average.

He also gives the Mets insurance in the event that Taylor, who underwent multiple surgeries earlier this offseason, needs more time than expected to recover.

TRADE DETAILS

Mets receive: OF Jose Siri
Rays receive: RHP Eric Orze

Offensively, Siri has hit 43 home runs the past two seasons, but he mustered just a .620 OPS in 2024, largely because he struck out 170 times.

Siri, who has three years of team control left, is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, which likely played into Tampa Bay’s decision to trade him.

Orze, 27, was the Mets’ fifth-round Draft pick in 2020. He produced a 2.92 ERA over 43 appearances at Triple-A Syracuse this season but struggled during a brief big league debut. Mets officials have long been impressed with Orze’s repertoire, but the idea of acquiring a significant offensive piece for a bullpen prospect proved too tempting to pass up.

In New York, Siri figures to soak up most of the chances that Bader, a free agent, left behind. Bader appeared in 143 games for the Mets, starting regularly in center field early in the season before taking on more of a defensive replacement and pinch-running role down the stretch. Advanced metrics peg Siri as an upgrade over Bader in center field, with slightly more range, significantly more speed and a stronger arm. He also comes cheaper than Bader, who made $10.5 million last season.

Over the past three seasons, Siri leads the Majors with 40 OAA in center field. Colorado’s Brenton Doyle is second with 31. Anything Siri produces at the plate is a bonus, considering he’s one of the game’s ultimate free swingers. But Siri does produce above-average bat speed and solid raw power, as evidenced by his 75 extra-base hits the past two seasons.

Taylor, who underwent umbilical hernia and right elbow loose body removal operations after the season, should be back to full strength well in advance of Opening Day. But Taylor’s 345 plate appearances this year were a career high; Siri allows manager Carlos Mendoza to give Taylor regular rest as warranted.