NY Mets have their starting center fielder for 2025, but who is it?

The New York Mets are putting together a star-studded roster in hopes of winning it all in 2025, but at one of the game's premier positions, center field, two under-the-radar players will battle it out for a starting role.

Neither Tyrone Taylor nor Jose Siri will make fans forget prime Carlos Beltran dazzling in center, but on a team with stars like Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, they won't be tasked with the responsibility of carrying a team. That's not to say that these players aren't intriguing as they both bring different skills to the table that will be of value to the Mets.

Tyrone Taylor vs. Jose Siri in center field for the Mets

When considering fit, one of the most important attributes the Mets' starting center fielder can bring to the table in 2025 is solid glove work. With Soto and Brandon Nimmo locking down the corners, extra onus will be put on whoever is starting in center to pick up the slack while already having the responsibility of manning such an important defensive position.

Fortunately, both players are good defenders. In particular, Siri is an excellent one. In 2024 the former Tampa Bay Ray posted 12 DRS and 16 outs above average in 1,048.2 innings patrolling center field.

Taylor was not quite as exceptional. He only logged 273 innings in center, instead spending time at all three outfield positions for the 2024 Mets, and logged O DRS and 1 OAA in his time there. Across all three outfield positions, he tallied 10 DRS in a larger sample, highlighting his own defensive prowess.

Offensively, both players have some value and bring different things to the table. Taylor doesn't have a standout skill but instead brings a little of everything. Last season, he posted a .248/.299/.401 line with 7 homers which was good for a 98 wRC+ over 345 plate appearances.

For his career, he's a .241/.296/.438 hitter with a .147 ISO and 100 wRC+. He doesn't walk a ton (5.5% walk rate for his career) but also keeps his strikeouts at a reasonable rate at 23.2%. From a power production standpoint, he's not an elite power hitter, but he's also not swinging a limp noodle at the dish.

Siri, on the other hand, has loud tools and glaring deficiencies. In 2024, he hit just .187/,255/.366 while clocking 18 dingers in 448 plate appearances. He struck out an egregious 37.9% of the time which held back his offensive production in a major way, leading to a 78 wRC+.

2023 was a better year for Siri where he showcased his power potential to the tune of 25 home runs and a .272 ISO en route to a 106 wRC+. For his career, his line is .210/.266/.408 with a .199 ISO and an 89 wRC+ which again has been diminished by his 35.7% career K-rate.

Tyrone Taylor is the clear choice to start in center for the Mets

The Mets choice boils down to reliable consistency in the form of Taylor, or Siri's boom-or-bust potential. Neither player is particularly young – Taylor is entering his age-31 season while Siri turns 30 in July – and therefore they both are what they are at this point in their careers.

For a team with serious aspirations like the Mets, role players who can be counted on to provide stability are a must. Sure, Siri's defensive prowess and ability to go yard are intriguing, but the sky-high strikeout rate mitigates all of that value. On a rebuilding team, he could be a fun piece to keep fans interested, but for a contender, he'll frustrate with his inconsistency.

Taylor can handle the defensive responsibilities thrust on him at an above-average level while lengthening the lineup and providing roughly league-average production. He'll hit some homers and he'll get on base some. He'll never wow you with his tools, but that's what guys like Soto and Lindor are for. Instead, he'll rarely let you down, and that sort of boring reliability is exactly what the Mets need.