Luis Robert Jr. traded to the Mets for Luisangel Acuna and a prospect

Last year, the Chicago White Sox were unable to trade Luis Robert Jr. So the Chicago club chose to pick up his $20M option in order to trade him this winter.

It was a risky gamble, given that at $20m, teams weren't necessarily going to line up to pick up the man who has talent like no other, but who has been injured more often than not.

But in the end, Chicago won their bet, as the Mets of David Stearns and Steve Cohen bit.

Robert Jr. is now officially headed for the Big Apple. In return, the Mets agreed to trade Luisangel Acuna (Ronald Acuna Jr.'s brother) and prospect Truman Pauley, a pitcher drafted in the 12th round in 2025.

The White Sox thus continue their work of destroying the core of yesteryear. But more and more, they are making room for the next generation in the midst of a heavy rebuilding process.

It's fortunate for them that the Munetaka Murakami deal has collapsed to the point where the Japanese player has fallen into their hands…

With the White Sox trading away Luis Robert, they now only have 3 guaranteed contracts for 2027, and none in 2028.

Murakami ($17.5M), Benintendi ($15.5M), Kay ($5M)

– Brandon Wile (@Brandon_N_Wile) January 21, 2026

Trading Acuna became necessary for the Mets, who had a surplus of middle infielders. Remember: he had been acquired from the Rangers in return for Max Scherzer.

With Robert Jr. to stabilize center field (if he stays healthy, of course) and with Bo Bichette's contract now official, the Mets don't have an ugly offensive lineup. It's not perfect, but it's honest.

Here's one version of how the Mets' lineup could look like after trading for Luis Robert Jr. pic.twitter.com/9l9udIHxbp

– SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 21, 2026

I wonder, though, what the defense will look like.

Note that according to Brendan Kuty, this deal would take the Mets out of the running for Cody Bellinger's services. That's good news for the Yankees.

This would take the Mets out of the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes. Bellinger's market remains unclear outside of the Yankees, though literally any team can come out of nowhere and surprise (see: Mets, Bichette; Cubs, Bregman). Bellinger to BX makes so much sense tho. https://t.co/8dpDLEBOqz

– Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) January 21, 2026

But most of all, I wonder when the club will stop fooling around and go get a real starting pitcher. And when I say a real starting pitcher, I mean… several pitchers.

To be continued.

This content was created with the help of AI.