A Luis Robert Jr. conversation NY Mets fans will be talking about in 2026

The New York Mets have their 2026 answer in center field thanks to the trade that finally brought Luis Robert Jr. to Queens. From what the asking price was to what the Mets actually paid, it's easy to call the deal a steal.

Part of the reason for that is the control. Robert Jr. had lingered on the market for the better part of two years. Had the White Sox dealt him last offseason, the acquiring team would have gotten him for the last year of his contract, a $15 million charge, plus two option years at $20 million apiece.

By stubbornly holding onto him from last winter, through the trade deadline, and into this offseason, Chicago was forced to pick up his option or risk losing him for nothing. Everyone knew they had no interest in paying him $20 million, and further inaction would have led them to a Deja vu scenario come November, so they watched any hope of extracting top prospects vanish before their eyes.

Now that New York holds the option to retain Robert Jr. for 2027, it will be one of the most hotly debated topics as the 2026 season unfolds.

What the Mets should do with Luis Robert Jr.'s option for 2027 will be a major debate among fans

The good news is we have time to sort this out. Robert Jr. has five-tool potential, as evidenced by his stellar 2023 campaign that featured 38 homers, 20 steals, a 129 wRC+, and 12 outs above average while roaming center field. For that, $20 million would be a bargain.

However, whether or not we see that player again is a huge question. Robert Jr. posted identical 84 wRC+ marks in 2024 and 2025. He's played over 110 games just once in his career, and that came during his magical 2023 season.

His health will be the first hurdle he needs to clear, and the production will be the second. To be clear, Robert Jr. doesn't need to repeat 2023 in order to justify his option. All he needs to do is play solid defense, not be a net negative offensively, and stay healthy. Sounds easy, right?

This stuff never happens in a vacuum, however. The other piece to the puzzle is what the free-agent market looks like, and an early preview doesn't present many alternatives. Of the potential free-agent outfielders, there are very few true center fielders.

There's Trent Grisham, who was the center of a discussion that drove fans wild before he mercifully accepted the qualifying offer from the Yankees. Old friend Cedric Mullins may become available again, too, if he or the Rays decline his mutual option. That one is pretty safe to cross off.

The one possibly intriguing option could be Daulton Varsho. The Blue Jays center fielder brings a mix of power and exceptional defense to the table, but doesn't fit the new Mets' preference of high-contact, low-strikeout hitters.

Beyond that, there's a sea of corner outfielders who aren't suited to play center field. By default, it might seem like Robert Jr. will be the best bet, but again, if he can't stay healthy, there will be no point.

This will be dissected month by month and even week by week as fans try to grasp what his true value is. It's a mystery, but one that will unfold throughout 2026.