After falling just two wins short of the World Series, the New York Mets have several roster holes to address before next season. Could Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. be the answer in center field?
The 27-year-old played just 100 games this season due to injuries, posting a .224/.378/.339 slash line with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, 47 runs, and 23 stolen bases. However, Robert is only a year removed from his breakout 2023 season, when he earned All-Star honors, won a Silver Slugger Award, and finished 12th in AL MVP voting.
That year, Robert stayed healthy for the first time, appearing in 145 games and slashing .264/.315/.542 with career highs in home runs (38), doubles (36), RBIs (80), and runs scored (90).
With the White Sox coming off a historically bad season, losing an MLB-record 121 games in 2024, they are far from contention. What would it take for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns to acquire Robert? FanSided’s Josue De Jesus proposed this hypothetical trade:
Mets receive: Outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox receive: Third baseman Brett Baty, outfielder Ryan Clifford, catcher Kevin Parada, and outfielder Alex Ramirez
Clifford, ranked as the Mets’ fourth-best prospect by MLB.com, would headline the package. Parada, ranked 25th overall, struggled in 2024, while Ramirez, once a top prospect, recently re-signed with the Mets after being non-tendered. Baty, despite his pedigree, has yet to fully adjust to MLB pitching.
For the Mets, Robert offers an affordable, short-term solution in center field. He’s entering the final guaranteed year of his six-year, $50 million contract, earning $15 million in 2025. The deal also includes club options for 2026 and 2027 at $20 million annually, providing flexibility if he performs well.
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