The New York Mets are addressing their center-field needs with the acquisition of Jose Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal, reportedly finalized on Tuesday, sees the Mets parting ways with reliever Eric Orze to bring in the defensive standout. Neither team has officially confirmed the trade.
Siri, who joined the Rays in 2022, has made his mark as one of MLB’s top center-field defenders. In the 2024 season, he ranked second in the league at the position with 16 Outs Above Average, highlighting his exceptional range and reliability in the outfield. The move provides the Mets with much-needed depth, especially as Tyrone Taylor recovers from multiple offseason surgeries.
Offensively, Siri is known for his power, having hit 43 home runs over the past two seasons. However, consistency at the plate remains a challenge; he recorded a .620 OPS in 2024, a figure below league average. Despite this, his elite defensive skills and potential to provide occasional offensive firepower make him a valuable addition to the Mets’ roster.
Siri also offers the Mets financial flexibility. With three years of team control remaining, he is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, giving the organization cost-effective outfield stability.
Eric Orze, the pitcher headed to Tampa Bay, has been a key contributor at the Triple-A level for the Mets. Selected in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, the 27-year-old right-hander posted an impressive 2.92 ERA across 43 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse in 2024. However, his brief stint in the majors proved more challenging.
The acquisition of Siri addresses one of the Mets’ pressing offseason concerns: ensuring a reliable presence in center field. Last season, the team rotated between Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader in the role, with mixed results. Siri is expected to slot into the position immediately, filling the void left by Bader and providing insurance should Taylor’s recovery take longer than anticipated.
This move comes as the Mets continue to reshape their roster under new leadership. The team aims to build on the lessons of a disappointing 2024 campaign and prepare for a more competitive season in 2025. With Siri’s defensive prowess and potential upside at the plate, the Mets hope he can play a pivotal role in their success.
Meanwhile, the Rays add Orze to their pitching depth, a hallmark of their organizational strategy. Known for developing and maximizing the talent of relievers, Tampa Bay will look to refine Orze’s skills for a potential impact in their bullpen.
As spring training looms, the Mets’ acquisition of Jose Siri signals their intent to solidify key positions and bolster their roster depth for the upcoming season.