The Mets will be without Jose Siri for 8-10 weeks, president of baseball operations David Stearns told reporters on Monday (link via Tim Healey of Newsday). It was clear that the center fielder would be out for a while after he was diagnosed with a left tibia fracture last week. He suffered the injury when he fouled a ball off his leg.
It had been a frustrating start for Siri even before the injury. The righty-hitting outfielder collected just one hit in his first 20 at-bats. He has drawn four walks and stolen a couple bases, but he’d punched out eight times over 24 plate appearances. Siri’s glove is much more his calling card. He’s coming off a .187/.255/.366 showing over a career-high 130 games as a member of the Rays. The Mets acquired him in an offseason trade despite those numbers because he’s one of the best defensive center fielders in the game.
Tyrone Taylor has taken over as the primary center fielder. He’s out to a very tough start offensively, batting .211/.237/.298 through 59 trips to the plate. Taylor is a solid defender, albeit not to Siri’s level. The Mets called up speedster José Azocar as a fifth outfielder. While Azocar isn’t likely to push for regular playing time, the Mets could turn to one of their middle infielders on the outfield grass. Luisangel Acuña has been a full-time infielder in the majors but topped 250 innings in center field in Triple-A last season.
More interestingly, the Mets are toying with the idea of getting Jeff McNeil some center field reps. He’s getting work in at the position during his minor league rehab assignment. McNeil could be back from his season-opening IL stint by the end of this week. He has 16 career innings as a center fielder. He’s unlikely to play there on a regular basis but could be part of a larger timeshare.
“I imagine Jeff is going to do what he always does,” Stearns told reporters (via Healey). “He’s going to bounce around. He’s going to play some second. He’ll fill in for the corner outfielders when needed. We’ll see how the center field thing goes; I think he’s excited about that. So there are plenty of at-bats to go around here, and Jeff will certainly get his share.”
Siri is on the 10-day injured list for the time being. The Mets can move him to the 60-day IL to open a 40-man roster spot whenever that need arises.
Drop Azocar. Keep Acuna & Baty. Give Acuna & McNeil some reps in center. Mendoza does a good job of getting everyone some playing time.
DFA Marte instead. Keep Azocar’s defense. DH Soto at times against tough lefties. Let Winker get his at bats. That’s my thoughts.
Soto isn’t going to DH.
Then let Torrens DH when right bat needed there when Alvarez gets back.
Marte is like their 5th or 6th hitter they need him
Disagree on all of this except for letting Winker get his ABs.
They have enough defensive flexibility to keep Baty and Acuna. Acuna can play 2B, OF, and SS. McNeil can play 2B and the corner OF. Baty can play 2B and 3B. To echo Bill M, Mendoza does a good job mixing everyone in.
Drew Gilbert has been looking pretty good thus far. I’d give him a chance if McNeil struggles at CF
This guy is an abomination in the batter’s box
Hopefully someone becomes indispensable while he’s gone that there is no need to bring him back.
Some wild and zany takes on here
Could be stronger without him.
The Mets could replace him with Alexa and no one would notice.