The Mets may have two outfield trade chips, but only one of them is helping the other one’s case.
Luis Robert Jr. was already going to be a tricky sell. Unless the Mets were willing to eat the rest of his contract, any team taking him on would have to live with the injury risk that comes attached.
Even a strong stretch at the plate wouldn’t erase that concern. One bad break, one ugly debut, and the whole deal can go sideways fast.
That’s where Tyrone Taylor comes in, and not in the way the Mets would want. Taylor’s hot bat, cheaper salary, and stronger reputation for staying on the field have made Robert look even less attractive by comparison. In a weird twist, one rising trade candidate is quietly dragging down the value of another.
Taylor is the more practical fit for a club that needs outfield depth. He’s a smooth defender in center, and at roughly one-fifth of Robert’s salary, he makes a lot of sense for a team that wants help without taking on much risk.
A club with outfield injuries or someone on the IL would be the cleanest match. That’s the kind of profile that keeps the Yankees chatter around Taylor alive.
Robert, by contrast, fits better for a team looking for a lower-order bat with the chance to climb the lineup later. The Phillies, who have already cycled through several center field options this season, are the sort of team that could make sense.
But even there, the caution would be obvious. Robert brings power, but not much average, and the Mets are going to have a hard time selling him as the better player when he costs more.
The Rangers, apparently, are one team that sees it differently.
And with Steve Cohen rumored to prefer not to move Taylor, his recent surge may end up making Robert even more of a necessity to deal.
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