The Mets have a new centerfielder, acquiring Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox in exchange for Luisangel Acuna and minor-league RHP Truman Pauley.
Robert Jr., 28, was the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up and a Gold Glover in 2020, and an All-Star and Silver Slugger in 2023 when he slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 homers and 80 RBI in 2023, but the last two seasons he has played just 210 of 324 possible games and posted career lows in all three slash line categories, plus OPS, in one of those seasons.
He has, however, contributed on the bases, stealing 33 bags last year, and plays great defense in center field, so he provides an upgrade there between Juan Soto in right and whomever the Mets deploy in left.
Robert Jr. also could be a multi-year option, as he is playing 2026 on the first of two $20 million club options at the end of the deal he initially signed with the White Sox prior to the 2020 season; the Mets hold another club option at $20 million for 2027, with a $2 million buyout.
Acuna, 23, was acquired in the Max Scherzer deal in 2023 and played 109 games for the Mets over the last two seasons, hitting .248 with 16 steals while playing second, short, third, and center field. Even with that flexibility, though, he was a man without a true role on the 2026 Mets, who bookended Francisco Lindor by adding Marcus Semien via trade and Bo Bichette in free agency this winter – and with Robert Jr. here to play center field, a super utility role was likely Acuna’s ceiling for at least the next two seasons.
Pauley was the Mets’ 12th-round pick in 2025 out of Harvard and made his debut last summer at Class-A St. Lucie, allowing one run over 4 1/3 innings in three outings.