The New York Mets struck a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, acquiring outfielder José Siri. This move could address their center field need for president of baseball operations David Stearns. However, what if Stearns aimed even higher by negotiating a trade with the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and starting pitcher Garrett Crochet?
While Robert has struggled with injuries throughout his career, he showcased his potential with a breakout 2023 season, earning a Silver Slugger Award after hitting 38 home runs, driving in 80 runs, and scoring 90 runs. This year, his production dipped to a .687 OPS over 100 games. On the pitching side, Crochet made a successful transition to a full-time starter in 2024, posting a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 209 strikeouts across 146 innings, earning his first All-Star selection.
A potential trade proposal from FanSided’s Josue De Jesus outlines the following blockbuster:
- Mets receive: OF Luis Robert Jr. and LHP Garrett Crochet
- White Sox receive: INF Brett Baty, INF/OF Jett Williams, OF Ryan Clifford, RHP Jonah Tong, C Kevin Parada, and OF Alex Ramirez
This trade would involve four of the Mets’ top 30 prospects per MLB.com, with Baty excluded from the prospect list due to his major league experience. The Mets would part with significant young talent but gain two players with multiple years of control.
Robert is in the final guaranteed year of his six-year, $50 million contract, with $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, Crochet remains under team control through arbitration until 2026, with an estimated salary of $2.9 million for next season.
While this deal would cost the Mets a hefty price, it could provide immediate impact for both the rotation and the lineup.
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