Mets acquire Luis Robert Jr. in trade, banking on high-upside despite injury history

The New York Mets acquired center fielder Luis Robert Jr., 28, from the White Sox for infielder Luisangel Acuña and pitcher Truman Pauley. The Mets will pay Robert's full $20 million salary for 2026, with a $20 million team option for 2027. Robert, a 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger (38 HR, 20 SB, 5 WAR), has been plagued by over 30 IL stints in six seasons, leading to mediocre 2024-25 campaigns. Despite this, he maintains elite sprint speed (33 SB in 2025) and excellent center field defense (7 OAA, 93rd percentile), with underlying metrics like xwOBA comparable to Cody Bellinger. The Mets hope their improved infrastructure can help him rediscover his 2023 form.