With the MLB trade deadline just over 48 hours away, the Mets are discussing a potential trade with the White Sox that would bring Luis Robert Jr. to Queens. But they could be facing stiff competition.
In addition to the Mets, the Phillies and Padres are also interested in Robert, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.
Olney also noted that the White Sox "are resolute in the stance that they'll either receive a trade return equivalent of what Robert's potential is or hang onto him beyond the deadline."
Mark Vientosand Luisangel Acuña are "among the names that have come up" between the Mets and White Sox, per Olney.
SNY's Andy Martino reported on Monday that the Mets were discussing Vientos in trade talks.
The Mets are currently using Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil in center field, which is less than ideal given Taylor's offensive struggles and McNeil being out of position.
President of baseball operations David Stearns hedged a bit recently when asked about upgrading center field. But he explained that the team would be open to it if the player they acquired passed a certain "bar" for them.
Whether Chicago is bluffing or not when it comes to the return they're seeking for Robert remains to be seen, but it's hard to picture any team paying top dollar in terms of major league talent and/or position players in order to acquire a player who has struggled badly at the plate over the last two seasons, posting a combined OPS+ of 83.
What complicates matters is that while Robert can be a free agent after the season, his contract contains a pair of club options — worth $20 million each for 2026 and 2027.
That means the Sox could theoretically keep him and pick up his option if he excels down the stretch. It also means an acquiring team isn't taking on much risk, but could reap a serious reward if Robert snaps back into being the player he was as recently as 2023, when he smashed 38 homers and had an .857 OPS.
Still just 27 years old, Robert's potential is immense. And while his offensive ceiling is the most tantalizing part of his game, he's also an elite defensive center fielder.
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