The New York Mets acquired center fielder from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, sending reliever Eric Orze in exchange. Siri, a 29-year-old speedster, brings defensive prowess and power to the Mets, addressing the need for a replacement in center field following Harrison Bader’s departure to free agency.
In 2023, Siri played a career-high 130 games for the Rays, batting .187 with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a .620 OPS. Over four MLB seasons with the Houston Astros and Rays, he has a .210 career batting average, 54 home runs, 136 RBIs, and a .674 OPS. Known for his speed, Siri has successfully stolen 43 bases in 56 attempts and ranked second among MLB outfielders this year with 17 outs above average. His elite defense makes him a valuable asset in the Mets’ outfield, where he could share responsibilities with Tyrone Taylor and left fielder Brandon Nimmo.
Siri’s profile is reminiscent of Bader’s, combining defensive skill and speed with occasional power, though both players have struggled with consistency at the plate. Siri’s best season came in 2023 with Tampa Bay, where he hit .222 with 25 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .761 OPS in 101 games. This year, Siri earned $757,800 and is eligible for arbitration moving forward. While his energetic playing style has drawn criticism from some opponents, it adds flair to his game.
On the other side of the trade, Eric Orze, a 27-year-old right-handed reliever, joins the Rays. A fifth-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft, Orze has an inspiring backstory, overcoming skin and testicular cancer while playing college baseball at the University of New Orleans. He debuted in the majors on July 8, 2024, and made one other big-league appearance, finishing with a 21.60 ERA for the Mets. In Triple-A Syracuse, Orze excelled with a 6-1 record, a 2.92 ERA, and three saves across 43 games, striking out 84 batters over 61 2/3 innings.
This trade reflects the Mets’ focus on shoring up their outfield defense while the Rays bolster their bullpen depth with Orze, a promising reliever.