The New York Mets took two noteworthy fliers on position players who had been non-tendered last offseason, and as the year unfolded, both decisions ultimately came back to haunt them. Hoping to uncover undervalued depth pieces who could provide upside at a low cost, the Mets gambled on infielder Nick Madrigal and outfielder Jose Siri. Instead of finding stability or surprise production, the club watched injuries and underperformance undermine those bets at a time when every marginal win mattered.
Madrigal’s tenure in New York never truly began. The infielder suffered an injury during spring training and never appeared in a regular-season game, leaving the Mets without the contact-oriented depth option they had envisioned when they signed him. While his absence was frustrating, it was at least clean in the sense that expectations quickly evaporated once the injury occurred. Siri’s situation, by contrast, lingered throughout the season and became a more visible reminder of a gamble that failed to pay off.
Siri, acquired with hopes of injecting athleticism, defense, and energy into the outfield mix, was limited to just 16 games after suffering a fractured tibia. In that brief stretch, he struggled mightily, finishing with a negative-0.5 bWAR. As the regular season wound down and the Mets found themselves clinging to faint postseason hopes, the organization made the difficult decision to designate Siri for assignment. It was a clear signal that the experiment had run its course and that the club could no longer afford to carry a roster spot tied to uncertainty.
Given those circumstances, it came as little surprise that the Mets entered the winter intent on charting a new course in their search for outfield help. Injuries, inconsistency, and missed opportunities had plagued the position, and there was little reason to expect Siri to return after such a frustrating stint. Still, for a player with major league tools and flashes of impact in his past, the door to another opportunity was never completely closed. On Sunday, Siri reportedly found that chance, agreeing to a deal with the Los Angeles Angels as he looks to reset his career.
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, Siri and the Angels agreed to a minor-league contract that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training. Jon Heyman of the New York Post added that the deal would pay Siri $1.6 million if he earns a spot on the major league roster. For the Angels, the structure represents a low-risk move with potential upside. For Siri, it is a chance to prove that his time in New York was more an unfortunate blip than a definitive statement about his value.
At 30 years old, Siri is no longer a prospect, but he is also far from an unproven fringe player. He has appeared in 372 major league games and, when healthy, has shown that he can contribute in meaningful ways. His most notable stretch came with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023, when he slugged 25 home runs in just 101 games, providing surprising power from a premium defensive position. He followed that performance by setting a career high with 1.8 bWAR across 130 games the following season, further cementing his reputation as a player capable of impacting games even when the bat runs hot and cold.
Offensive inconsistency has always been part of Siri’s profile. He takes an all-or-nothing approach at the plate, one that can lead to prolonged slumps and elevated strikeout totals. That volatility makes him a challenging fit for teams seeking steady offensive production, but it also explains why clubs continue to be intrigued. When Siri is locked in, he can change games with one swing, and when he is not, he can still find ways to contribute in other areas.
Those other areas are where Siri’s value has often been most apparent. He is a true spark plug on the bases, having swiped 45 bases over his major league career, and his speed regularly puts pressure on opposing defenses. In the outfield, particularly in center field, Siri’s athleticism stands out. When healthy, he tracks the ball exceptionally well, covers large swaths of ground, and provides the kind of range that can quietly save runs over the course of a season. Even during down offensive stretches, that defensive reliability can justify a roster spot, especially for teams prioritizing run prevention.
For the Angels, Siri represents a sensible and calculated addition. The organization has been focused on improving its defense across the diamond, and adding a player with Siri’s range and instincts aligns with that goal. If he performs well in spring training and secures a place on the major league roster, he could play a meaningful role in stabilizing the outfield defense. His presence could also ease the burden on breakout star Jo Adell, who erupted for 38 home runs last season but is widely viewed as a better long-term fit in a corner outfield spot rather than in center field on an everyday basis.
From the Mets’ perspective, Siri’s departure is less about losing a productive player and more about closing the book on a strategy that failed to yield results. The idea of targeting non-tendered players for upside remains sound in theory, but the outcomes with Madrigal and Siri underscore how thin the margin for error can be. Injuries and poor timing turned what might have been clever depth moves into roster headaches, particularly for a team attempting to stay afloat in a crowded playoff race.
In that sense, Siri’s new deal with the Angels serves as both a fresh start for the player and a reminder for the Mets of how quickly plans can unravel. For Siri, the opportunity is clear: stay healthy, rediscover his timing at the plate, and lean into the defensive and baserunning strengths that have always defined his game. For the Angels, the gamble is modest, the upside tangible, and the cost manageable. If Siri clicks, they gain a versatile, hard-nosed spark plug capable of impacting games in subtle but important ways. If he does not, the organization can move on with minimal consequence.
As the 2026 season approaches, Siri’s journey illustrates the reality of modern roster construction, where players often move quickly from one opportunity to the next, carrying both their flaws and their potential with them. His time in New York may be remembered as a disappointment, but his career story is still being written. With the Angels, Siri now has a chance to redefine his narrative, while the Mets are left to reflect on another offseason gamble that did not go as planned.
