After finalizing a trade for closer Jhoan Duran on Wednesday, the Phillies and Twins quickly followed up with another deal, this time sending outfielder Harrison Bader to Philadelphia. Bader, in the midst of one of his better offensive campaigns, was considered a potential backup option for the New York Mets if they couldn’t land Luis Robert Jr. With Bader now off the board and the Phillies filling their center field need, the Mets’ path to acquiring Robert from the White Sox looks more promising.
New York has been widely seen as a frontrunner for Robert in recent days. With one fewer team in the mix, the race to acquire the dynamic outfielder appears to have narrowed.
Phillies Land Their Man, Mets Look to Respond
The Mets and Phillies have been active at the trade deadline, trading metaphorical punches. This time, Philadelphia moved first, securing Bader and pushing New York to respond. Other teams, like the San Diego Padres, have also been mentioned as possible suitors for Robert, but their focus appears to be on other roster needs. While they don’t need a center fielder, adding a young, controllable outfielder wouldn’t hurt their depth particularly with a hole in left field.
For the Mets, landing Luis Robert Jr. would mark a clear win at the deadline. Strengthening center field one of their weakest offensive positions—would give the team a notable boost. Fallback options include sticking with an in-house combo of Jeff McNeil and Tyrone Taylor, or possibly targeting Cedric Mullins of the Orioles.
While Bader might have been a decent fit, his stint with the Mets last year ended on a sour note, making a reunion unlikely. Now, with just hours left before the deadline, the Mets must deliver their best offer to the White Sox. Robert, who has a team option for 2026, could draw offseason interest from non-contending clubs, so Chicago will likely demand a strong return to let go of a young outfielder who’s shown flashes of stardom but hasn’t fully broken through.
NY Mets Rumors: Trade Proposal to Keep Luis Robert Jr. Away from the Phillies
The New York Mets have been among the most active teams at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, already making notable additions with Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley. But the latest buzz suggests they’re now shifting focus—from bullpen upgrades to securing an everyday center fielder. The name consistently linked to them? Luis Robert Jr.
The Mets have been eyeing Robert since the offseason, but they’re no longer alone. The Philadelphia Phillies have recently shown serious interest in acquiring the White Sox star, creating a potential showdown between two division rivals vying for the NL East crown. That makes it all the more crucial for the Mets to block any deal that would send Robert to Philly.
Proposed Trade: Mets Receive Luis Robert Jr. in Exchange for Luisangel Acuña and Jacob Reimer
Robert could have an immediate and substantial impact on the Mets. While his offensive stats this season haven’t matched expectations, playing for a rebuilding White Sox team likely hasn’t helped. The belief is that a move to a playoff-contending club like the Mets could reignite his form, particularly the power and speed combination he showcased in 2022. His solid defensive abilities would also be a big asset in center field.
Chicago has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring one of the Mets’ prized young talents, known collectively as the “Baby Mets.” Though Mark Vientos is often mentioned, Luisangel Acuña is considered more expendable, given the Mets’ current roster makeup. Acuña’s ceiling is high, but with limited opportunity in New York, he’s primarily viewed as a bench option or pinch-runner roles that are replaceable. On the White Sox, he could step into a full-time job and develop into a top-of-the-order spark plug, with five more years of team control.
In addition, the White Sox are seeking a top-10 prospect in any deal for Robert. That’s where Jacob Reimer fits. Ranked No. 6 in the Mets’ farm system by MLB Pipeline, Reimer has impressed across both High-A and Double-A, showing the potential to be a well-rounded hitter with power and consistency. His stock has been steadily rising.
Together, Acuña and Reimer would give Chicago two high-upside pieces to build around Acuña bringing speed and top-of-the-order potential, and Reimer offering the kind of bat that could anchor a lineup in the future. This deal could benefit both franchises: helping the Mets stay competitive in the postseason race while giving the White Sox a head start on their rebuild.
And most importantly for New York, it would prevent a key rival from landing a game-changing talent.
