The Mets acquired center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox for infielder Luisangel Acuña and righty Truman Pauley, the club announced on Tuesday night.
Talks regarding the possible movement of Robert from the White Sox have been going on since the Trade Deadline in 2024. There were even times, specifically Spring Training prior to the 2025 season, when Robert didn’t seem to believe he would be with the White Sox by Opening Day. But the center fielder stayed in place until this offseason.
Robert is only a couple of years removed from one of the most complete seasons in White Sox history. During that 2023 All-Star campaign, Robert slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 90 runs scored and 80 RBIs. The five-tool talent has shown extended periods of excellence aside from this 145-game stretch, but has not really come close offensively over the 2024-25 seasons, with a .660 OPS and 28 homers over 210 games.
TRADE DETAILS
Mets receive: CF Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox receive: INF Luisangel Acuña, RHP Truman Pauley
Staying healthy has been the biggest issue for the 28-year-old native of Cuba. Take the 2025 season, as an example, when he was limited to 110 games after dealing with a pair of left hamstring strains. Robert’s second strain left him out of action from Aug. 26 through the end of the White Sox 60-win campaign.
Robert is a low-key but quiet fit in any clubhouse, and he works diligently to perfect his craft. The White Sox picked up his $20 million club option for ‘26, and he has another $20 million club option with a $2 million buyout for ‘27 before becoming a free agent.
At the core, Robert remains a strong if not frequently spectacular defensive presence in center field. He also set a career-high with 33 stolen bases in ‘25, giving him 102 stolen bases and 102 home runs over 577 games. Robert will benefit from not being the focused-upon guy in his new lineup, but the real key simply is keeping him on the field.
Robert will fill a major hole in center field for the Mets, who still don't have an obvious starter in left. On the heels of adding free agent Bo Bichette last Friday, this is the second move that has seemingly come out of nowhere by the Mets in less than a week.
Acuña, a former top prospect with the Mets who was acquired by New York from the Rangers at the 2023 Trade Deadline for Max Scherzer, has batted .248/.299/.341 with three homers and 16 steals in 109 career games, including 95 last season. He did however recently show plenty of pop when he went deep four times in a winter league game in Venezuela.
The younger brother of Braves superstar Ronald, the 23-year-old Luisangel has made big league starts at second base (41), shortstop (13) and third base (1), while also appearing in center field twice. His versatility should give him plenty more opportunity for playing time than he had with the Mets, perhaps even taking over in center for Roberts if he doesn't assume a starting role in the infield.
Pauley, 22, was a 12th-round pick last year out of Harvard. He allowed one run with three strikeouts and four walks over 4 1/3 innings in his pro debut with Single-A St. Lucie.