Over the past few years, the Chicago White Sox have traded away nearly all of their notable players as part of a full-scale rebuild. The lone star remaining is Luis Robert Jr., but at this point, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s dealt too.
Robert has had a rough start to the season and could benefit from a fresh start. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Mets have emerged as a team with reported interest in acquiring the talented center fielder.
So the big question is: what might a potential Robert-to-Mets deal actually look like?
Mets trade proposal for Luis Robert Jr.
Trade Proposal
Mets receive: Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox receive: Blade Tidwell (Mets’ No. 15 prospect), Drew Gilbert (Mets’ No. 10 prospect)
The New York Mets are tied for the second-most wins in baseball with 26, thanks in large part to their aggressive offseason, particularly in the outfield. Headlining that effort was the record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal for Juan Soto, the largest contract in sports history. But even with Soto in the fold, the Mets could still use additional outfield depth as they push for a World Series run.
Luis Robert Jr., despite a disappointing .186 batting average this season, remains a player with immense upside. The White Sox are mired in dysfunction, and a move to a contending team could reignite the fire in Robert’s game. The former All-Star, who launched 38 home runs in 2023, is still just 27 years old and possesses rare five-tool potential.
While inconsistency has always shadowed his career, Robert continues to impact games with his legs—his 15 stolen bases lead the American League. Add that to his plus defense and power bat, and there’s reason to believe that in the right environment, Robert can return to the elite form that once saw him bat .338 in 2021.
Mets wouldn’t risk much in trade proposal for Luis Robert Jr.
A trade for Luis Robert Jr. would represent a low-risk, high-reward gamble for the Mets. If he regains his All-Star form, he could be a pivotal addition for a championship push. If not, the team isn’t locked in long term—his contract features club options for 2026 and 2027, giving the Mets flexibility to move on.
Given Robert’s struggles this season, his trade value is at a low point, which could work in New York’s favor. The Mets might not have to part with any of their top-tier prospects, and even in a worst-case scenario, Robert still brings value as a base-stealing threat and defensive asset.
Adding intrigue, Robert and Juan Soto have trained together in the past, offering some built-in chemistry that could ease a transition to New York. But despite the interest, a trade doesn’t appear imminent. While the Mets have reportedly checked in on Robert’s availability, they don’t seem particularly aggressive at this stage—likely due to his ongoing slump and questions about consistency.
Does a Luis Robert Jr. trade complete the White Sox’s rebuild?
Back in 2016, the White Sox began a sweeping rebuild, dealing away nearly every key player and stockpiling young talent. That effort brought a wave of promising prospects and a renewed sense of optimism. But in the end, it only translated to two playoff appearances—and now, the organization is hitting reset once again.
In just the past two seasons, Chicago has traded away a long list of notable names: Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López, Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Kendall Graveman, Aaron Bummer, Jake Burger, Michael Kopech, Eloy Jiménez, Dylan Cease, and Garrett Crochet, among others. Through it all, they’ve held on to Luis Robert Jr., hoping he’d rebuild his trade value. But it has always felt like his departure was only a matter of time.
Robert’s injury issues and underwhelming 2025 production have dragged down his value, which puts the White Sox in a tough spot. They could wait for him to heat up before moving him, but a deal now might still serve as the final domino in their roster teardown.
As the last marquee player remaining from the previous rebuild, Robert still might carry more value than anyone else on the roster—even with his current slump. According to reports, Chicago has its eye on Mets pitching prospect Blade Tidwell, who could help reinforce the team’s slowly improving pitching pipeline. Drew Gilbert, another Mets prospect in Triple-A, could also be part of the return package.
The White Sox are clearly still years away from contention, so continuing to flip veterans for future pieces—like Tidwell and Gilbert—fits the long-term plan.