Mets blockbuster trade proposal adds $50 million slugger in three-player swap

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Mets blockbuster trade proposal adds $50 million slugger in three-player swap image

New York Mets fans have good reason to be excited about 2025.

After the team made a startling run to the National League Championship Series this past season, its payroll will see about $180 million free up ahead of the next one, giving the front office some significant opportunity to bolster the roster.

As owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns explore the free-agent market and possible deals with the likes of Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, the Mets can also consider bringing in some fresh talent via the trade market. The team has a middle-ranked farm system of prospect capital and might utilize some of its financial flexibility to extend a newly-acquired star.

That could be the case in a blockbuster trade proposed by Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer, which sees the Mets land center field slugger Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for prospects Ronny Mauricio and Blade Tidwell.

“The Mets made a run at the World Series this year in large part because they had stars in all the right places. Except, that is, for center field,” Rymer wrote. “Luis Robert Jr. is the Chicago White Sox trade chip that should have the Mets’ eye.”

In a breakout 2023 season at age 25, Robert slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 homers and 80 RBI, an All-Star nod, a Silver Slugger Award and Most Valuable Player Award votes. His 2024 was not as impressive, as he dealt with a hip flexor injury, but he has some high upside given his contract.

He signed a six-year, $50 million extension with the White Sox in 2020 and will be owed $15 million for next season, then he has $20 million club options in both 2026 and 2027. If he hits 28 home runs in those seasons, he’d offer some strong value.

This proposal has the Mets give up their number-six prospect in Mauricio and their number-eight one in Tidwell. As a result, it seems like a relatively low-risk, high-reward answer for the center field position and a deal that could replace some needed slugging if the Mets are unable to re-sign Pete Alonso.

“Robert’s upside, however, is beyond humongous,” Rymer added. “If the Mets did trade for him, the hope would be for more of what he gave the White Sox (i.e., 38 HR, 20 SB, 13 OAA) a year ago.”

More MLB: Dodgers blockbuster trade proposal lands $200 million three-time All-Star for pitcher

Peter Chawaga Photo

Peter Chawaga is a veteran journalist covering Major League Baseball for The Sporting News. His MLB reporting has included feature interviews with commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame slugger David Ortiz, salary analysis, player rankings and more. He has covered baseball for Forbes, Yardbarker, Pitcher List, Athlon and other outlets.

With over ten years of newsroom experience, he has previously covered finance, technology, arts, and culture for newspapers, magazines, and websites nationwide. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in English and journalism.

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