After years of rumors, the White Sox officially traded Luis Robert Jr. on January 20, as the former All-Star was sent to the Mets. In return, the White Sox received infielder Luisangel Acuna and pitcher Truman Pauley.

The Mets’ Return

• OF Luis Robert Jr. (.223/.297/.364, 14 HR, 26 XBH over 110 GP)

Let’s start with the elephant in the room, which is trying to figure out exactly why Robert Jr.’s numbers have dipped over the past few years.

You may recall that in the 2023 season, Robert Jr. was one of the most valuable hitters in the American League. That year, he cracked 38 home runs and slugged .542 for the White Sox, the latter of which ranked as the third-best SLG in the AL. But since then, things have been on a downturn for him, as Robert Jr. hit 28 combined home runs — 14 each in 2024 & 2025 — over the last two years.

First, injuries have played a major role in Robert Jr.’s career. Now 28 years of age, Robert Jr. played fewer than 100 games in 2021 and 2022, and just barely reached that plateau in 2024 and 2024.

He’s dealt with a myriad of issues, including blurred vision, a wrist sprain, an MCL strain, a right hip flexor strain, and this past year, a right hamstring strain that knocked him out in August.

Two, Robert Jr. does have his weaknesses at the plate. Namely, he’s an aggressive hitter who will look to expand the zone.

Now, this past season, the White Sox’s starting lineup was thin to begin the year. Very thin. Robert Jr. saw north of 50% of his pitches outside of the zone in March (short sample size) and April, and then again in June. The reality is that with little protection around him, teams didn’t have to give Robert Jr. much to work with.

This did help with Robert Jr.’s walk rate, as he posted a career-best 9.3% BB%.

However, he still often expanded out of the zone a little too much.

Robert Jr.’s numbers began to spike in July, coinciding with Colson Montgomery‘s arrival in Chicago. He slashed .353/.441/.549 in July, followed by three home runs and six extra-base hits in August.

Despite his flaws, Robert Jr. brings a unique blend of bat speed, power, and range in center field. His +7 OAA was one of the best in baseball this past year.

Robert Jr. is signed through 2026 and has a club option for 2027.

The White Sox’s Return

• INF Luisangel Acuna (.234/.293/.274, no HR and seven XBH over 95 GP)
• P Truman Pauley (2.08 ERA, three K, four BB over 4.1 IP (A))

Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of Ronald Acuna Jr., was acquired two and a half years ago as the headliner in the Max Scherzer trade to Texas. At the time, Acuna was considered one of the best prospects in the Rangers’ system.

No, Acuna didn’t have the same kind of power as his brother. However, the 5’8” infielder had the potential to be an everyday infielder who could run well. Unfortunately for him and the Mets, Acuna didn’t have the room to work with in Queens.

The 23-year-old is a career .248/.299/.341 hitter at the MLB level across parts of two seasons. Running is his best asset; he had one of the best sprint speeds in the game and stole 16 bases last season in limited action.

However, Acuna isn’t a big hitter by any means. Even though he hit three home runs in 40 plate appearances in 2024, he recorded only seven extra-base hits. Acuna often topped off on balls, shooting them up the middle.

Another element is that Acuna didn’t play much at all in 2025. He spent 28 games with Triple-A Syracuse but spent most of the year as a reserve/late-inning defensive replacement.

The other piece in this deal is Truman Pauley, a right-handed pitcher who was taken by the Mets in the 12th round out of Harvard this past July.

Pauley struck out 91 and walked 48 over 70.1 IP with the Crimson this past season. Low-to-mid-90s fastball, coupled with a cutter and a low-80s slider.

Analysis

The Mets have significantly upgraded their lineup over the last week. Just hours after officially finalizing the signing of Bo Bichette, the Mets filled out the hole in center field with Robert Jr.

A couple of takeaways here. One, the Mets won’t have to push Carson Benge. Two, Robert Jr. joins a team with significantly more depth in the lineup. He’ll be a part of a group that includes Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Bichette, and Jorge Polanco.

Robert Jr. isn’t a high-OBP guy, making him the kind of perfect fit to slot into the #5 hole. He can drive in runs and also help shore up things defensively for the Mets.

As for the White Sox, this is a move that can be looked at as one where the team is selling Robert Jr. at a point where his value is low. Regardless of the circumstances, the fact is that Robert Jr. A) didn’t hit well in 2024 and 2025 and B) had trouble staying healthy.

But, it does shed salary and allow the White Sox to take on a lottery ticket in Acuna Jr.

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