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. It was a weirdly star-less venture, with Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor getting the bulk of the reps. The defense was fine. The offense? Less so.
So, never mind Garrett Crochet. Luis Robert Jr. is the Chicago White Sox trade chip that should have the Mets’ eye.
The 2024 season was his worst from multiple perspectives, including his 1.4 rWAR. It was also another in which the injury bug refused to let him go. In five seasons, he’s played in just 66 percent of all possible games.
Robert’s upside, however, is beyond humongous. 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.
Trade Proposal: New York Mets get CF Luis Robert Jr.; Chicago White Sox get IF Ronny Mauricio (Mets No. 5), RHP Blade Tidwell (Mets No. 9)
The Mets would get a veteran player with big talent and significant injury risk, and the White Sox would get a young player with big talent and significant injury risk.
This is referring to Mauricio, whose recovery from a torn ACL completely wiped out his 2024 season. He’s only 23, though, and he was a 20-20 guy in the minors in 2022 and 2023.
For his part, Tidwell is more than just a great baseball name. He’s a 6’4″, 207-pounder with three above-average pitches, and he could impact the majors as soon as 2025.
