The New York Mets have opened the season strong with an 18-7 record, thanks largely to standout performances from Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso. These stars have helped hide some of the team’s shortcomings, but the Mets might not rely on that for much longer. While they are expecting some injured starting pitchers to return, one pressing need remains in center field. Both Tyrone Taylor and Jose Siri have underperformed, prompting speculation that the Mets could pursue a trade to upgrade the position.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller identified the Mets as a prime destination for Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox. According to FanGraphs, Taylor and Siri have combined for a negative-0.4 fWAR in center field this season, indicating poor performance both offensively and defensively. Baseball Reference offers a slightly less negative assessment at -0.1 bWAR, but the conclusion remains the same: center field is a weak spot. Miller suggests that acquiring Robert could be the final piece needed for a strong playoff push and notes that the Mets might consider keeping him beyond this season due to a club option in his contract.
Robert is currently under a six-year, $50 million deal he signed in 2020, with additional club options for 2026 and 2027. With the White Sox likely to become sellers at the trade deadline, Robert is expected to be a key name on the market. Interestingly, even Robert didn’t expect to be on the White Sox’s Opening Day roster, admitting as much in an interview with 670 The Score’s Chris Emma due to swirling trade rumors.
Although Robert is off to a slow start in 2025, his potential remains high. He was an All-Star in 2023 and has the talent to hit 40 home runs in a season. A change of scenery to a contending team like the Mets could help him rebound.
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