Mets trade for White Sox centerfielder Luis Robert, deal away Luisangel Acuna
White Sox outfielder Luis Robert. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin
The Mets had two outfielders on their roster going into Tuesday. Now they have a very necessary third.
The Mets acquired Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuna and minor-league righthander Truman Pauley, the team announced late Tuesday night. Robert will join Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor in the Mets’ outfield, though prospect Carson Benge continues to be a strong option.
Robert, 28, is an excellent defender who has been hindered by injury and has a high upside, as showcased by his 2023 All-Star year when he hit .264 with 38 homers. He earned the Silver Slugger in 2023 and won a Gold Glove and was second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020.
He slashed .223/.297/.364 last season with seven outs above average; he was also in the 90th percentile in spring speed and generates a lot of power off his bat when he makes contact (92nd percentile in bat speed but often chases out of the strike zone). He had a career-high 40 walks and 33 stolen bases last year, making him a strong righthanded complement to Soto.
Robert becomes the latest piece in president of baseball operations David Stearns’ quest toward run prevention — a winding journey that saw the Mets miss out on Kyle Tucker after having already traded leftfielder and fan favorite Brandon Nimmo.
The Mets will pay the $22 million guarantee left on Robert’s contract, with $20 million in 2026 salary plus a $2 million buyout on his $20 million option in 2027, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
The move to acquire Robert also calls into question their wooing of free agent Cody Bellinger, who plays both the outfield and first base but is reportedly seeking a lengthy contract worth a little more than $30 million a year.
That said, Robert also creates a safety net: After losing out on Tucker, the Mets pivoted to Bo Bichette, who will be introduced at Citi Field on Wednesday. Bichette, a natural shortstop, will transition to third base and will bring pop and length to the Mets’ lineup. While he doesn’t provide quite the offensive thunder, Robert, coupled with Taylor and Benge — both considered above-average defenders — makes for a formidable outfield troupe to make up for Soto’s defensive issues.
Acuna, meanwhile, was a useful defensive piece for the Mets during his tenure, and excellent on the basepaths, but with their glut of infielders there was no true fit for him and not enough playing time to encourage his development.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
