The Luis Robert Jr. sweepstakes may finally be heating up-and this time, the Chicago White Sox appear ready to deal. After nearly two years of trade whispers and stalled negotiations, the White Sox seem more open than ever to moving their electric but oft-injured center fielder.
And while the New York Mets have been circling for a while, it’s the Cincinnati Reds who’ve surged to the front of the line. But don’t count the Mets out just yet-if they want Robert Jr., they’ve got the tools to make it happen.
Let’s break this down.
The Financial Factor
One of the biggest hurdles in any potential Luis Robert Jr. deal is the contract. The 28-year-old is owed $20 million for the upcoming season, with a club option for another $20 million in 2027. That’s a hefty price tag for a player whose upside is undeniable but whose availability has been inconsistent.
For the Reds, that’s a tough pill to swallow. They’ve already nudged their payroll up to $130 million-well beyond the $119 million they spent last year-after re-signing Emilio Pagan and adding lefty Caleb Ferguson. Even if they manage to offload Brady Singer’s projected $13 million arbitration salary, fitting Robert Jr. into the budget would require a significant stretch.
The White Sox have reportedly offered to eat a portion of Robert Jr.’s 2026 salary to grease the wheels on a potential trade. That’s rare for a franchise that’s been historically reluctant to absorb money in deals. But even with that concession, the Reds might still be operating at the edge of their financial comfort zone.
That’s where the Mets come in.
Fresh off shedding $10 million in the Jeff McNeil trade, New York has a bit of breathing room-and more importantly, a willingness to spend. If the Mets are ready to take on the full weight of Robert Jr.’s contract, they could offer the White Sox a cleaner deal: no salary retention, just prospects. That alone could give them a leg up on Cincinnati.
Building a Better Offer
So what would it take for the Mets to jump the line?
The White Sox are reportedly eyeing three Reds pitchers: top prospect Chase Petty, and two arms coming off injuries-Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson. Petty has high-end stuff but got rocked in a brief major league debut. Aguiar has a limited track record and a 6.25 ERA in just over 30 innings, while Williamson profiles more as a back-end starter with a 4.39 career ERA.
That’s not exactly a treasure trove of can't-miss talent. The White Sox are in full rebuild mode and need help across the board, but their pitching depth is slightly ahead of their hitting. That opens the door for a more balanced offer-something the Mets are well-positioned to provide.
A package centered around Jack Wenninger and Nick Morabito could be enough to tilt the scales. Wenninger, a right-handed pitcher, and Morabito, a toolsy outfielder, are both on track to be big-league ready by 2026.
They may not be household names yet, but they offer more upside than Aguiar or Williamson, and come without the injury baggage. Petty might have the higher ceiling, but he also comes with more volatility.
Now combine that with the Mets’ willingness to take on the full contract, and suddenly you’ve got a compelling offer: two nearly MLB-ready prospects-one on each side of the ball-and no financial strings attached. That’s the kind of deal that could force the White Sox to make a move.
What’s Next?
The question now is whether the Mets are ready to push their chips in. Luis Robert Jr. is a potential game-changer-when healthy, he’s a five-tool force who can anchor a lineup and patrol center field with ease. But he’s also missed significant time with injuries, and betting on his durability is a risk.
Still, for a Mets team looking to accelerate its retooling and inject some star power into the roster, the opportunity is there. The Reds may have made the first serious move, but if the Mets want Robert Jr., they’ve got the financial flexibility and prospect capital to outbid them.
It’s all about how badly they want him-and whether they’re ready to act like it.