The centerfielder has shown flashes of excellence in his still-young career.
It’s no secret that the Mets have struggled to get consistent production out of center field this season. So it comes as little surprise that, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, one of the team’s top priorities at the trade deadline is landing a starting-caliber center fielder. One name stands out above the rest—and per McDaniel, he’s the Mets’ number one target to fill this role: Luis Robert Jr.
Now in the middle of his age-27 season with the White Sox, Robert is enduring the worst offensive stretch of his career, slashing .209/.293/.339 with 10 home runs across 85 games. He’s faced a common challenge for a player of his profile, owning a whiff rate in the bottom 20 percent, leading to him striking out at a 28.6% clip. His once-elite defense has also taken a step back: from 12 Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2023 to just 3 OAA combined in 2024 and 2025, despite playing 40 more games in the latter span.
Given all that, it’s fair to question whether Robert’s best days are behind him—but what continues to make him a compelling trade candidate is his raw talent and upside. He still ranks in the 89th percentile in sprint speed, making him a legitimate asset in center field and a threat on the base paths. He’s also continued to show his power potential—maintaining a 94th percentile bat speed in 2025.
However, it’s also important to note that even in his current state, he does provide some value for the Mets. For one, his OPS is still almost 75 points higher than Tyrone Taylor’s, who’s been starting most games in center field. This, combined with his 85th percentile OAA and above-average arm strength, would likely have him slotting in as an every day center fielder—possibly providing more value and flexibility then the Mets currently get out of that position.
In addition, Robert’s potential hasn’t just been theoretical—as he’s shown flashes of it from 2020 to 2023. In 367 games over that span, he hit .279/.327/.500 with 74 home runs, which equates to just under 33 homers per 162 games. He paired that production with Gold Glove-level defense, posting 24 OAA in that same time span. In fact, only two players—Kevin Kiermaier and Harrison Bader—exceed that total in as few games.
However, these stats highlight another issue for Robert: while he’s shown the ability to be excellent when on the field, he’s struggled to be consistently healthy. Since the beginning of his career, Robert has played more than 100 games in a season just once (145 games in 2023). 2025 has been no exception: this year alone, he’s missed time due to discomfort or injuries involving his groin, adductors, hamstring, thumb, head, and knee.
Should the Mets pull the trigger on a trade, Robert would most likely slot in as the everyday center fielder, pushing Taylor into a backup or rotational role. The Mets would also be taking on the $15 million Robert is owed in 2025. His contract also stipulates two club options for 2026 and 2027 at $20 million each, giving the front office flexibility in future years.
According to Bob Nightengale, the White Sox have expressed interest in Mark Vientos as part of a potential return. With additional reports indicating the Mets are open to moving Vientos, a deal feels increasingly possible especially as the trade deadline approaches in three days. For the Mets, this could be an opportunity to buy low on a player with elite tools—hoping to capitalize on Robert’s upside at a moment when his value is arguably the lowest it’s ever been.