Mets acquire OF Jose Siri from Rays for reliever Eric Orze

The New York Mets landed veteran outfielder Jose Siri in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, the team announced Tuesday. In return, the Mets surrendered reliever Eric Orze.

Siri, 29, was tied for the lead among all center fielders in defensive runs saved last season but he struggled offensively, batting .187 with 18 homers, 14 stolen bases and an adjusted OPS+ of 76.

He'll be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, meaning he's likely to get a minor bump over his 2024 salary of $757,800.

Siri had a meandering path to the big leagues, bouncing through five organizations before making his debut with the Astros in September 2021. He has been known for playing with a demonstrative flair that can sometimes bug opponents.

Early in this offseason, some industry sources said they expected the Rays to move on from Siri, who had a staggering 170 strikeouts and just 31 walks in 448 plate appearances last season.

Harrison Bader, who was the Mets' primary center fielder last season, became a free agent again. Tyrone Taylor played well in 44 games at the position, though he just had hernia and elbow surgery, procedures from which the Mets expect him to recover by the start of spring training.

But Siri gives the Mets some coverage at the spot no matter how the rest of the offseason plays out.

A contingent representing the Mets' organization, including owner Steve Cohen and head of baseball operations David Stearns, traveled to California in recent days to meet with slugger Juan Soto. But that negotiation could continue for another week or more, with Soto and agent Scott Boras taking information and offers from the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and other teams.

Orze, 27, pitched in two games for the Mets last season, allowing four runs in 1⅔ innings in his first-ever major league outings. He was a fifth-round pick of the Mets in the 2020 draft.