The Mets aren’t waiting around this offseason. After a 2025 campaign that fell well short of expectations, New York made a bold move Tuesday night, swinging a trade with the White Sox to acquire center fielder Luis Robert Jr. In return, the Mets are sending two young players to Chicago: infielder Luisangel Acuña, who Mets fans are already familiar with, and right-handed pitching prospect Truman Pauley, a recent addition to the organization.
This isn’t just a reshuffling of deck chairs - this is a statement move. Robert Jr., still just 28, has been one of the more intriguing talents in baseball since signing a six-year, $50 million deal with the White Sox back in January 2020 - before he’d even played a Major League game.
The early returns on that contract were promising. After a modest debut during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Robert exploded in 2021, slashing .338/.378/.567 over 68 games.
That performance translated to a 155 wRC+ and 3.4 fWAR, a blazing-hot stretch that had fans and analysts alike dreaming big about his future.
While he’s never quite recaptured that peak, Robert’s 2022 and 2023 seasons were nothing to scoff at. In 2022, he posted a 111 wRC+ and 2.1 fWAR in 98 games.
Then came 2023 - a true breakout year - where he played 145 games and delivered a 129 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR, and a reminder of just how dynamic he can be when healthy. At that point, his pre-debut contract looked like a masterstroke for the White Sox.
But the last two seasons have been a grind. Lower-body injuries have sapped Robert’s offensive production, and over the past two years, he’s hit just .223/.288/.372 with an 84 wRC+ across 210 games.
That’s a far cry from his earlier form. Still, there’s plenty of reason to believe the Mets are getting more than just a reclamation project.
Despite the offensive dip, Robert’s athleticism hasn’t gone anywhere. He ranked in the 90th percentile in sprint speed last season and posted 7 Outs Above Average, placing him in the 93rd percentile defensively.
That’s elite center field defense with top-tier wheels - a rare combination. Even if the bat doesn’t fully bounce back, the Mets are locking down a premium defensive position with a player who brings real upside.
The White Sox, meanwhile, are betting on youth and upside in return.
Luisangel Acuña, acquired by the Mets in the 2023 Max Scherzer deal with Texas, never quite found his rhythm in Queens. Once a highly touted prospect, he was leapfrogged by others in the system and struggled in his first extended big-league opportunity last season, hitting .234/.293/.274 with a 65 wRC+ and 0.4 fWAR over 95 games. Still, there’s talent there - Acuña’s speed and defensive versatility give him a chance to carve out a role in Chicago, especially if the bat develops.
Truman Pauley, the second piece heading to the South Side, is a bit more of a wild card. A 12th-round pick out of Harvard in last year’s draft, Pauley brings intriguing pitch data to the table, particularly with his fastball. He’s not a household name yet, but the White Sox clearly see something worth developing.
Financially, the Mets are taking on all of Robert’s $20 million salary for 2026, and they’ll also hold a $20 million team option for 2027, which includes a $2 million buyout. That’s a significant commitment, but one the Mets are clearly willing to make in the hopes that Robert can rediscover his All-Star form.
At its core, this trade is about upside - for both teams. The Mets are banking on a high-ceiling center fielder who, when healthy, can be one of the most dynamic players in the league.
The White Sox are reloading with two young, controllable talents as they continue to reshape their roster. If Robert stays healthy and the Mets can help him rediscover his swing, this could be one of the more impactful moves of the offseason.