Surprise Deal: Mets Pull Off Stunning Trade With Rays for $2.5M Defender
There are likely to be more fireworks forthcoming, but the New York Mets have officially opened their offseason with a bang.
Coming off a surprise appearance in the National League Championship Series, the Mets are ready to go all-in on the 2025 season. Their free agency exploits will be must-see television, given their penchant for spending big, but first, they had a trade in store.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the Mets acquired center fielder Jose Siri from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for relief pitcher Eric Orze. Siri is under team control for three more seasons and is currently projected to make $2.5 million in arbitration this year by Spotrac.
Siri, 29, is an inconsistent hitter, batting just .187 with 18 home runs and a .620 OPS in 2024. But what he lacks in offense at times, he repays with his glove. He was tied for fifth among all defenders in MLB with 16 outs above average this season.
In addition to his power and athleticism, Siri plays the game with an edge. He’s known for admiring his home runs, and he’s been the driving force behind a number of scuffles, including a 2024 brawl in which he exchanged punches with Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Abner Uribe.
The Mets will gladly add Siri to the mix, and they’ll take their chances on losing Orze, who allowed four earned runs in his first 1 2/3 innings of MLB experience this season. Time will tell if they made a smart acquisition.
