FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Mets have traded with Joseciri, primarily because they play good center field.
He is a player who looks like another kind of weapon in any project as a strong lineup.
But there are at least some hopes that Siri can develop into a stronger hitter.
In the fifth Grapefruitreug match, Siri blasted his third home run. This was most tied in baseball as a 6-4 defeat concluded to the Red Sox.
“There's a possibility there,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday from JetBlue Park.
Siri's power is undoubtedly uncovered, and he has totaled 43 homers in the past two seasons.
However, he attacked frequently, leaving him away from a particularly poor season at the plate, hitting .187 with .620 OPS last year with the Rays.
The Mets hope they can help Siri's plate discipline.
“For him, I think you understand the role he has offensively in this team, which means he could have some really good batsmen behind him,” Mendoza said. “I get on base, control the strike zone and swing on a good pitch. He's doing that now.”
The 29-year-old couldn't take those steps with the Astros or the Ray, but he defended an incredible play and established himself through his powerful stroke.
The Mets have acquired a player whose Eric Orze sent bailout prospects to Tampa Bay, essentially replacing Harrison Bader.
“I was surprised,” Ciri said this weekend through interpreter Alan Sriel. “I was home at the time. I didn't expect to be traded, but that's the business.”
Good news from Paul Blackburn: His tweaked sinker is moving more than ever.
Bad news: Controlling that movement is an ongoing task.
The Mets' right-hander was charged with three hits and four runs on two walks, while recording four outs.
He threw 23 pitches in the first innings, then was pulled after recording only once, reentering two innings and threw 1-2-3 frames.
Sunday in Fort Myers, Florida. Imaging images
He began squeezing his sinker better in two innings.
“There are good days, there are bad days,” Blackburn said of the pitch that became a spring project. “I was really happy with what I was doing today, but I took that move and managed to get into the zone consistently.”
The Blackburn, which took place after 32 pitches, is a strong rotational candidate with Sean Mania and Frankie Montas on the sidelines.
Mendoza said Luissanger Ackña, who was excavated with a fastball on Saturday and kicked out of the game.
Acuña was told not to rock the bat on Sunday as a precaution, but he did the infield work and did not need a test.
“I'm not too worried,” Mendoza said.
Sean Reid-Foley passed OK via OK after throwing 15 pitches in his first game on Saturday as last year's season was shorter.
Reid-Foley scored two outs while allowing hits and walks before lifting.
His fastball sat around 93-94 mph, which is healthy at this time of the season.
“I thought he was good,” Mendoza said of the right savior who last pitched in the majors on June 19th. His shoulder pressed him against the injured list, and his attempts at rehabilitation ended with a shoulder receding.
