The Mets made a splash by acquiring center fielder Luis Robert Jr., but the White Sox didn’t leave empty-handed. The centerpiece heading back to Chicago is infielder Luisangel Acuña, a player with intriguing tools who just hasn’t quite put it all together at the major league level-yet.
Acuña found himself squeezed out of a crowded Mets infield picture, and his 2025 numbers didn’t do him many favors. He slashed just .234/.293/.274 over 175 at-bats, failing to hit a home run and managing only seven doubles.
That kind of production won’t keep you in a big-league lineup, especially on a team with playoff aspirations. But there's more to Acuña than what showed up in the box score last season.
Speed remains a legitimate weapon for him. He went 16-for-17 on stolen base attempts, showing the kind of basepath instincts that can change a game.
Defensively, he’s versatile and steady-able to play both second base and shortstop, and he’s even logged time in center field. That kind of flexibility gives the White Sox options as they retool.
What’s especially interesting is what Acuña’s been working on this offseason. Playing winter ball in Venezuela, he reportedly adjusted his swing and approach at the plate-and the results have turned heads.
Just a few weeks ago, he made history by launching four home runs in a single game, something no one had ever done in the league’s 80-year history. That’s not just a hot streak-it’s a signal that something might be clicking.
Also heading to the South Side is right-hander Cam Pauley, a 22-year-old arm taken in the 12th round of the 2025 draft out of Harvard. He’s pitched just 4 ⅓ innings at Single-A Port St.
Lucie, but he posted a 2.08 ERA in that small sample. It’s early, but there’s enough there to keep an eye on.
With a strong academic background and a late-bloomer profile, Pauley could be one of those under-the-radar pitchers who develops quickly with the right coaching.
To make the deal work financially, the Mets are absorbing the full $22 million owed to Robert. That includes a $20 million salary for 2026, and a club option after the season that comes with a $2 million buyout if they choose not to bring him back. That’s a big chunk of change, but it’s the kind of bet you make when you’re trying to win now.
With Robert now in the fold, it’s hard to see the Mets continuing their pursuit of free agent Cody Bellinger. A long-term deal for Bellinger would not only tighten the financial screws but could also block the path for top outfield prospect Carson Benge.
Ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect by Just Baseball, Benge is seen as a legitimate candidate to crack the Opening Day roster. The Mets clearly believe in his upside-and now they’ve cleared the runway for him.
This deal is about more than just one season. It’s a reshuffling of talent and payroll with both teams betting on different timelines. The Mets are pushing chips in for a run now, while the White Sox are taking a longer view, hoping Acuña’s adjustments and Pauley’s upside pay off down the road.