Inside The Mets

Mets reportedly faced obscene asking price for Luis Robert Jr.

The asking price for the New York Mets to acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox was through the roof.
Kenneth Teape|
Jul 30, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) runs to first base hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Jul 30, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) runs to first base hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

In this story:

New York MetsChicago White Sox

One of the areas of their roster that the New York Mets were looking to upgrade ahead of the trade deadline was center field, and Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox was consistently connected to them.

An All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner in 2023, Robert has immense upside and the skill to be an impact player. There was certainly a chance he could have helped change the tides of the National League East race and give the Mets a clear edge over the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, that version of Robert has not been seen since the 2023 season ended. In 781 plate appearances across 2024 and 2025, the 28-year-old has a .222/.289/.368 slash line with an 85 OPS+ (100 is considered league average). The power/speed combination is there with 25 home runs, 28 doubles, and 52 stolen bases, but the inconsistency is maddening.

Given the immense upside he does possess, it wouldn’t have been hard for the Mets to convince themselves he was an upgrade over what they currently had to use in center field and was worth taking a swing on. However, the White Sox weren’t going to give him away for free.

Rumors swirled that they were seeking a Major League player and two prospects in return for their starting center fielder. After the deadline passed, Mark C. Healey of The Rockaway Wave reported that the White Sox asked New York for right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong in any deal for Robert.

Parting ways with Tong, one of the fastest rising prospects in the game, in exchange for the 2023 version of Robert may have generated some legitimate conversations. But for the current, 2025 version of the former All-Star?

Read More: Mets smart to avoid trade for Luis Robert Jr., land Cedric Mullins

That was likely a non-starter and could be as big of a reason that the Mets pivoted to acquiring Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles instead. Landing the 30-year-old center fielder cost New York three prospects, but only one of them was ranked inside the top 30.

Even if Mullins doesn’t have the upside of Robert, the difference in asking price was more than enough to make that deal worthwhile compared to negotiating with the White Sox.

In the end, Robert stayed put with Chicago and has a pair of $20 million club options over the next two seasons.

Recommended Articles:

Published
Kenneth Teape
KENNETH TEAPE

Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.

Home/News