The Mets’ center-field defense was a plus last season and now stands to improve even further.
Enter Jose Siri, acquired on Tuesday in trade with the Rays for minor league reliever Eric Orze, the Mets announced.
The 29-year-old Siri figures to fill the same kind of role Harrison Bader had with the Mets last season. Bader received most of the action in center field, with Tyrone Taylor also receiving a significant amount of innings at the position.
The Mets have acquired Jose Siri in a trade with the Rays. AP
Siri produced a .187/.255/.366 slash line with 18 homers and 47 RBIs with 14 stolen bases in 130 games for the Rays last season with a 1.9 bWAR.
But Siri’s best work was on defense — his 16 outs above average ranked in MLB’s 99th percentile.
Siri’s sprint speed and arm strength are also regarded as exceptional.
Siri, who is arbitration eligible for the first time, will be under club control for the next three seasons.
Siri is projected by Baseball Reference to receive $2.3 million.
Bader was a solid addition for the Mets last winter, arriving on a one-year deal worth $10 million.
The Bronxville native produced a .236/.284/.373 slash line with 12 homers and 51 RBIs and registered 10 outs above average, placing him in MLB’s 95th percentile, according to Statcast.
Rays center fielder Jose Siri (22) makes a catch against the Cleveland Guardians. David Richard-Imagn Images
Brandon Nimmo is expected to remain as the left fielder and Starling Marte for now has right field.
But that dynamic could change as the Mets pursue Juan Soto on a long-term contract that could surpass $600 million.
Taylor underwent hernia and bone-fragment removal surgery from his right elbow last month, but is expected to be ready for spring training.
Taylor arrived in a trade with the Brewers last offseason just as he was about to reach arbitration eligibility for the first time (similar to Siri).
Orze, a cancer survivor, debuted with the Mets this season and appeared in two games for the club.
The 27-year-old Orze was a fifth-round pick by the Mets in the 2020 draft.
Carlos Mendoza finished third in the NL Manager of the Year voting, results of which were released on Tuesday.
Pat Murphy received the honor after leading the Brewers to the NL Central title.
The Mets traded pitcher Eric Orze to the Rays. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Mike Shildt, who guided the Padres to an NL wild-card berth, finished second.
The rookie manager Mendoza led the Mets to a wild card.