Mets predicted to land $50 million All-Star in blockbuster trade

The New York Mets need some help in centerfield. With the sellers at the deadline uncertain, they could add a former All-Star from a team already poised to sell.

The Chicago White Sox have no realistic path to a postseason berth. They are set up to be sellers, and the player who figures to be most coveted on their team, Luis Robert Jr., is struggling.

Robert signed a six-year, $50 million deal before ever making his debut. He has $20 million club options for the next two seasons. This season, he has slashed .185/.270/.313 with eight home runs. His biggest issue has been staying healthy, but that is not an issue this year. In 2023, he was an All-Star, hitting 38 home runs.

The Mets' offensive production from center field has not been great. Tyrone Taylor has been the primary option there, but Jeff McNeil is getting looks now. However, adding a center fielder would allow McNeil to bring stability to second base. Sports Illustrated's Nick Selbe predicted the Mets would trade for Robert, despite his struggles.

"A pair of $20 million club options for 2026 and ’27 that were once seen as potential bargains are now highly unlikely to be exercised," wrote Selbe. "His walk rate (10.2%) and chase rate (32.7%) are at career-high points, indicating an improvement in his plate discipline, but his abysmal squared-up rate (17.9%, second percentile in MLB) indicates there’s work for him to do to be a plus on offense. The White Sox don’t have much to gain by holding onto Robert, but it’s hard to tell if their valuation on him will come down enough by the deadline for another team to take a swing on the 27-year-old."

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The Mets would be banking on Robert's potential. He is essentially a rental as the team could decline his option if he does not turn back into his All-Star form. Robert is showing some signs of life. He has hit slightly better in June. He may be worth the risk for the Mets. It will be hard for him to be worse than their current situation.

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