Mets acquire OF in trade with Rays

Mar 26, 2022; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; The New York Mets logo stands in center field before the game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets acquired outfielder Jose Siri in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. They sent pitcher Eric Orze to Tampa Bay in return.

Siri is the big name in the deal. Though he has struggled with just a .210 career batting average, Siri has shown power and good defense. He slugged 18 home runs last season and 25 the year before — both with the Rays.

Tampa Bay acquired Siri in a 3-way trade in 2022 that also sent Trey Mancini from Baltimore to Houston. The 29-year-old is eligible for arbitration this offseason and therefore likely to be more expensive. That could explain the Rays’ motivation for dealing him.

Orze was a 5th-round pick by the Mets in 2020. He has pitched in two MLB games and gave up runs in both appearances.

Orze, 27, has gone 14-8 with a 4.24 ERA in 124 games at the Triple-A level. Though he has struck out 12.09 batters per nine innings at Triple-A, he has also had elevated walk numbers with 4.59 issued per nine innings. Perhaps the Rays feel they can help Orze improve in that regard.