If the Mets don’t go big in free agency - think Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger - then swinging a trade might be their clearest path to upgrading the outfield this offseason. And while names like Steven Kwan, Jake Meyers, Jarren Duran, and Byron Buxton have already surfaced in the rumor mill, a couple of new possibilities have entered the conversation: Lars Nootbaar and Luis Robert Jr.
Let’s start with Robert. The Mets have reportedly inquired about the White Sox center fielder, and it’s not hard to see why there’s intrigue.
Just two seasons ago, Robert mashed 38 home runs, posted an .857 OPS, and was one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League. He was barreling up baseballs with regularity and pairing that with elite speed and center field defense - a rare combo in today’s game.
But that version of Robert hasn’t shown up lately. Last season was a step back - a big one.
He hit just .223 with a .661 OPS and only 14 homers across 110 games. The swing-and-miss issues that have always been part of his game didn’t go away.
In fact, they got worse. His chase rate, strikeout rate, and overall plate discipline remain major red flags.
Still, he managed to swipe a career-high 33 bases in 2025 and continues to cover ground in center with the kind of range that metrics love.
So what’s the catch? Well, Robert’s trade value has taken a hit due to the inconsistency, but the White Sox aren’t just going to give him away.
He’s still under team control for two more seasons (including a club option for 2027), and his raw tools - the power, the speed, the defense - are still tantalizing. That’s going to cost something.
The Mets, understandably, aren’t eager to part with top prospects unless Chicago is willing to eat some of Robert’s $20 million salary. That, according to reports, may be a non-starter given White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s well-known reluctance to subsidize deals - especially ones that benefit a deep-pocketed team like the Mets. Unless that stance softens, it’s tough to see a deal getting done before Opening Day.
Then there’s Lars Nootbaar, a player the Mets reportedly “hold some interest” in as a potential fit in left field. On paper, he makes sense as a Brandon Nimmo replacement - a lefty bat with on-base skills, some pop, and a bit of versatility in the outfield. But there are real questions here, too.
Nootbaar had surgery on both heels this offseason, and it’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for Opening Day. That’s not a minor issue, especially for a team like the Mets that’s placing a premium on run prevention and defensive reliability.
Even when healthy, Nootbaar hasn’t exactly been a defensive standout. Last year, he graded out as a below-average left fielder with limited range and a weak throwing arm.
At the plate, Nootbaar is coming off a down year, slashing .234/.325/.361. He’s shown flashes of being a solid on-base guy with decent contact skills, and some of his underlying metrics suggest there’s more in the tank. But he’s never hit more than 14 home runs in a season, which doesn’t exactly help a Mets lineup that could be losing Pete Alonso’s power in the near future.
Nootbaar is under team control for two more seasons, which gives him some value, but his durability is a concern. He’s never played more than 135 games in a season, and with the Mets needing stability and impact in the outfield, betting on a bounce-back campaign from a player coming off double heel surgery is a real risk.
So where does that leave the Mets? Still searching.
They’ve got options, but none of them are perfect. Robert brings upside and athleticism, but also serious risk and a hefty price tag.
Nootbaar offers control and potential, but also health concerns and limited power. Unless the Mets make a splash in free agency, they’ll need to thread the needle in the trade market - finding a player who fits both their needs and their budget without compromising the future.
Easier said than done.