Detroit Tigers pitcher Jason Foley (68) celebrates striking out Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jose Siri (22) during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

mlb

Mets Acquire Elite Defender Jose Siri in Trade with Rays for Reliever Eric Orze

Jose Siri, known for his exceptional defense with 16 Outs Above Average, joins the Mets as their new center fielder, replacing Harrison Bader.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jason Foley (68) celebrates striking out Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jose Siri (22) during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.

During the majority of the previous season, the Mets alternated between Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader as their main center fielders. This year, it seems that Jose Siri will be taking on the Bader role.

On Tuesday, the Mets traded reliever Eric Orze to the Rays in exchange for Siri. Siri, who joined the Rays in 2022, is a top-tier center-field defender who ranked second in baseball last season with 16 Outs Above Average.

He also provides the Mets with a safety net in case Taylor, who had several surgeries earlier this offseason, requires a longer recovery time than anticipated.

The Mets get Jose Siri pic.twitter.com/wwWrf6SCdB
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 19, 2024

In terms of offense, Siri hit 43 home runs in the last two seasons, yet only managed a .620 OPS in 2024 due to striking out 170 times. Due to being eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason, Siri, who has three years of team control remaining, was likely a factor in Tampa Bay’s choice to trade him.

Orze, age 27, was selected by the Mets in the fifth round of the 2020 Draft. During his time at Triple-A Syracuse this season, he achieved a 2.92 ERA in 43 games but faced difficulties in his short major league appearance.

Mets officials have always been impressed with Orze’s skills, but the temptation of adding a key offensive player was too strong to resist for a bullpen prospect.

In New York, most of the opportunities left by free agent Bader are expected to be taken up by Siri. Bader played in 143 matches for the Mets, initially starting as a regular in center field but later transitioning to mainly being used as a defensive replacement and pinch runner towards the end of the season. Advanced statistics indicate that Siri is a better option than Bader in center field, showing a slightly greater range, significantly more speed, and a stronger arm. His price tag is lower than Bader’s, who earned $10.5 million in the previous season.

In center field, Siri has recorded 40 OAA, the highest in the Majors over the last three seasons. Brenton Doyle from Colorado holds the second position with a total of 31 points. Any offense Siri contributes is an added benefit, given that he is known as one of the sport’s top power hitters. However, Siri demonstrates higher than average bat speed and strong raw power, proven by his 75 extra-base hits in the last two seasons.

Taylor had surgeries to fix an umbilical hernia and remove a loose body from his right elbow after the season, but he is expected to be fully recovered before Opening Day. This year, Taylor had his highest number of plate appearances at 345, allowing manager Carlos Mendoza to give him deservedly regular rest thanks to Siri.

MLB

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!