It’s never too early for the trade market to start heating up.
White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. will be one of the top names floated around leading up to the trade deadline — and it appears the Mets could potentially have some early interest.
Chicago has started to receive inquiries about the right-handed hitting slugger and the Mets are among the teams who have checked in, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports.
Nightengale notes that the White Sox are eyeing pitching prospect Blade Tidwell as part of a package in return.
Tidwell, who was called upon to make his big-league debut last weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, possess high-upside stuff and is currently Joe DeMayo’s No. 12 overall prospect in the system.
The 23-year-old has pitched to a 4.45 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in seven Triple-A starts this year but the underlying metrics show he’s run into some tough luck.
Robert Jr. was once viewed by many as one of the games rising stars, but he’s struggled mightily at the plate the past two seasons — posting a combined .282 on-base percentage and .648 OPS over his last 137 games.
Despite the slow start this year, he’s been able to stay healthy and has still swiped a league-high 15 bags while also bringing strong center field defense to one of the league’s worst teams.
Adding Robert Jr. to the mix could certainly be an intriguing move for the Mets, who currently have Tyrone Taylor receiving the bulk of the playing time in center and Jose Siri working his way back from injury.
Just two seasons ago Robert Jr. was named an American League All-Star for the second time in his career and he finished 12th in MVP voting after producing 36 doubles and 38 homers while also stealing 20 bases.
The 27-year-old is making $15 million this season and has a $20 million club option for next year.
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