The New York Mets have traded for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox, sending infielder Luisangel Acuña and pitching prospect Truman Pauley to Chicago. The deal, announced late Tuesday night, aims to solidify the Mets' outfield while providing the rebuilding White Sox with young talent. Robert, a former All-Star hampered by injuries, joins a revamped Mets roster.
The trade between the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox, finalized late Tuesday, addresses immediate needs for both clubs amid the MLB offseason. The Mets receive Luis Robert Jr., a 28-year-old center fielder known for his five-tool potential, in exchange for versatile infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitching prospect Truman Pauley. Talks had been ongoing since the 2024 trade deadline, with Robert's name frequently in rumors during the White Sox's rebuilds. The White Sox exercised Robert's $20 million club option for 2026 in November, but ultimately moved him to gain financial flexibility and prospects under control through 2031 for Acuña and long-term upside from Pauley. Robert's contract includes another $20 million option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. In 2023, Robert had a standout All-Star season, slashing .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases over 145 games, earning Silver Slugger honors. However, injuries limited him to 110 games in 2025 due to hamstring strains, and he posted a .660 OPS across 2024-25 with 28 homers in 210 games. Defensively, he remains a strong presence in center, and he set a career-high 33 steals in 2025, reaching 102 steals and 102 homers in 577 career games. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns emphasized health as priority: 'Step one is, we've got to do everything we can to help Luis stay on the field. This is an enormously talented player... Sometimes, just a change of venue helps a little bit, and I think it might here.' The Mets, who cycled through center fielders like Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor last season, now pair Robert with Juan Soto in right field. Left field remains open, with prospect Carson Benge competing alongside Taylor and Brett Baty. This move fits Stearns' roster overhaul, adding Robert, Bo Bichette, and Jorge Polanco while parting with Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. For the White Sox, who won just 60 games in 2025, general manager Chris Getz highlighted Acuña's potential: 'We have opportunity here, and we can provide that runway to show off his talent... The industry has been very high on this player for a long time.' Acuña, 23 and brother of Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr., has a .248/.299/.341 slash line in 109 MLB games, with versatility at second base, shortstop, third, and center. Pauley, 22, a 2025 12th-round pick from Harvard, showed promise in his brief Single-A debut with a 2.08 ERA over 4 1/3 innings. Acuña added: 'The thing that excites me the most is I will have the opportunity to keep growing and developing as a baseball player.' With Spring Training two weeks away, the Mets eye rotation improvements, while the White Sox plan active roster additions.