Mets Land $50 Million Silver Slugger Winner in Five-Player Trade Proposal
After finishing two wins shy of the World Series, the New York Mets have a lot of roster issues to address before next season. Could they fill the void in center field with Chicago White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr.?
The 27-year-old was limited to 100 games this season because of injuries, slashing .224/.378/.339 with 14 home runs, 35 RBI, 47 runs scored and 23 steals. However, he’s just one year removed from a breakout campaign in 2023. Robert was named an All-Star and won his first Silver Slugger Award while placing 12th in American League MVP Award voting.
He stayed healthy for a full season for the first time, appearing in 145 games. It led to a .264/.315/.542 line with career-high marks in home runs (38), doubles (36), RBI (80) and runs scored (90).
John Fisher/Getty Images
After losing an MLB-record 121 games in 2024, the White Sox aren’t close to competing. What might it take for president of baseball operations David Stearns to land Robert from Chicago? FanSided’s Josue De Jesus compiled the following 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 would be the biggest prize of this package for the White Sox, who MLB.com ranks as New York’s fourth-best prospect. Parada is 25th overall but struggled in 2024. Ramirez was a former top prospect and just re-signed with the Mets after getting non-tendered earlier in the offseason. Baty also has top prospect pedigree but has had a hard time adjusting to big-league competition.
Robert would give the Mets an affordable potential solution for center field without a long-term commitment. He’s entering the final guaranteed season of a six-year, $50 million contract and will earn $15 million in 2025. His deal also includes club options for 2026 and 2027, which are valued at $20 million per year.
More MLB: Top Prospect’s Hot Streak Could Help Mets Land Projected $130M All-Star Ace