NY Mets trade for Luis Robert Jr. will surpass David Stearns’ other deals for a CF

What’s kind of incredible is that in two years with the New York Mets we’ve already seen David Stearns make several trades for center fielders. It began by acquiring Tyrone Taylor alongside Adrian Houser in December 2023. It’s a good trade that cost them a single pitching prospect who has yet to make it to the majors.

He followed it up with a November 2024 trade for Jose Siri that still makes our stomachs churn. Then came the July 2025 deal for Cedric Mullins. Thinking about this requires a barf bag.

It’s more than an annual tradition. The Mets trading for center field help is a constant they’ll hope to resolve. Luis Robert Jr. will be the man asked to begin the season at the position. Without a doubt, this will end up as the biggest win of all of the trades.

At worst, Luis Robert Jr. is the bare minimum of what the Mets need in center field

Robert’s potential as a hitter is what makes him intriguing for the Mets. He has put together monstrous stats in the past. Even in those down years, he has played great defense and used his legs. His 33 stolen bases in only 110 games and with a .297 OBP should have him aiming to swipe even more if he can finally stay healthy and actually get on base at a respectable rate.

Robert’s worst year is better than anything the Mets could ever expect out of Taylor. His power and base running abilities don’t even compare. It’s an upgrade in every which way with the defense being the closest call. Robert still has the edge there.

Robert has that sparkplug kind of abilities the Mets have sought out with all of their center field additions under Stearns. We can even throw Harrison Bader into the mix. There’s a very specific type of player he seems to prefer. The big difference with Robert is his bottom (hold your laughter) is around the average of what those other guys tend to do.

The fact that it cost them Luisangel Acuna and an unranked pitching prospect makes it even better. Three pitching prospects was the cost to rent Mullins for two months. The Mets gave up a more well-known player in Acuna. He was hardly established and by trading him away they managed to open up a roster spot better used in several different ways even if the solution isn’t clear at the moment.