The New York Mets are acquiring outfielder Jose Siri in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Eric Orze, league sources confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday.
In acquiring Siri, 29, the Mets are essentially adding someone who can replace Harrison Bader, now a free agent, as a speedy center fielder who provides elite defense. The move helps the Mets avoid the premium they paid last winter for Bader (around $10 million for one year). Including 2025, Siri is under club control for three seasons; MLB Trade Rumors estimates his arbitration salary to come in at $2.3 million.
The Mets had pursued Siri in the past, including at times last offseason, league sources said. MLB.com first reported the trade on Tuesday.
It remains very early in the offseason, but as the Mets’ roster stands, New York plans to use Siri along with Tyrone Taylor similarly to how the club utilized Taylor and Bader last year. Siri also provides some insurance from a depth perspective, considering Taylor has undergone two surgeries so far this offseason (though he’s expected to be ready for spring training).
Both Siri and Taylor are right-handed batters, so it’s not a perfect platoon on paper, but Taylor was better against right-handed pitching last year than in the past.
Between Siri and Taylor, Siri is viewed as the better defender. Taylor is capable of playing all three outfield spots at an elite defensive level. Siri’s athleticism and impressive arm strength make him stand out.
A free swinger, Siri’s offense took a step backward in 2024. After slashing .222/.267/.494 in 2023 (364 plate appearances) with 25 home runs and 12 stolen bases, Siri slashed just .187/.255/.366 in 2024 (448 plate appearances) with 18 home runs and 14 stolen bases.
Orze, 27, had a 2.92 ERA (43 games) in Triple A as a reliever this year. He debuted in the majors, and allowed four runs in two games. In Orze, the Rays, an organization known for developing pitchers, see someone capable of pitching multiple innings with swing-and-miss stuff.
(Photo of Jose Siri: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)
