The New York Mets are moving on from a former standout with the Tampa Bay Rays. On Wednesday, the National League East team announced they designated outfielder Jose Siri for assignment amid its postseason push.
In a corresponding move, the Mets reinstated outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the injured list. Taylor hit ninth and went 0-for-3 at the plate in New York’s 10-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night.
A fractured tibia in April limited Siri to 16 games with the Mets after a trade from the Rays last November. In 36 trips to the plate, the 30-year-old had just two hits and struck out 17 times.
Mets Manager Speaks on Cutting Ties With Jose Siri
The manager of the Mets, Carlos Mendoza, knows that his team needs to ensure they receive quality play from whoever their center fielder is down the stretch of the regular season. Siri did not perform well enough to warrant the Mets giving him a postseason roster spot, if they make it that far.
âNot an easy one,â Mendoza told reporters Wednesday, including Will Sammon of The Athletic. âObviously, we know how toolsy he [Siri] is and what he brings to the table. But a difficult year for him, dealing with this fracture for pretty much the whole year. And got to the point where youâre activating a right-handed hitter who provides pretty good defense, versatility, and speed.â
Taylor has been on the injured list since September 2 with a left hamstring strain. He provides quality defense but hasn’t found a groove at the plate this year. Heading into Thursday night’s game, the former Milwaukee Brewer owns a .216/.274/.312 slash line with just two home runs and a .587 OPS in 331 plate appearances this season.
Cedric Mullins, whom the Mets acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline, has performed worse offensively. After posting a .738 OPS in 91 games with the Orioles, the 2021 All-Star has a .577 mark in his first 40 games in Queens.
Will a Playoff Team Sign Jose Siri?
Siri is out of minor league options and is just two seasons removed from hitting 25 home runs with the Rays. The righty provides decent speed on the basepaths, swiping 14 bags in 21 attempts last year and 12 stolen bases in 15 attempts in 2023.
MLB Trade Rumors’ AJ Eustace and Darragh McDonald broke down Siri’s future outlook and noted that he will not be eligible to play in the postseason if signed by a contender.
“Time will tell how the Mets fill the position going forward, but they have decided there was no room for Siri. With the trade deadline having passed long ago, the only choice will be to put Siri on waivers,” the MLB Trade Rumors duo wrote.
“He would have no appeal to other clubs in the short term. As mentioned, heâs been in poor form. He also wouldnât be postseason eligible with any claiming team. He can be controlled via arbitration for two more seasons, so itâs theoretically possible for another club to have interest in claiming him with an eye on next year.”
With less than a week remaining in the regular season, Siri may have to wait until the offseason to try to secure a new contract.
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