White Sox GM sounds like he didn't do his homework on before trade with NY Mets

Early quotes from Chicago White Sox GM after the trade with the New York Mets which swapped Luis Robert Jr. for Luisangel Acuna and a prospect weren’t promising for the Southside of Chi’town side of things. He was, apparently, convinced the Mets had little interest in parting with Acuna.

That’s fair enough and potentially true. However, Chris Getz might have Acuna confused with someone else. Southside Showdown’s Sam Phalen recounted four instances when Getz has referred to Acuna as a switch hitter.

Acuna is not a switch hitter, barely a hitter in the eyes of some. Could it be possible that Getz thought he was getting Ronny Mauricio instead of Acuna?

This isn’t the kind of mistake you make unless you’re completely mistaken

With the White Sox potentially moving Acuna into center field, it’s not a complete confusion as to the difference between this pairing. Mauricio is an entirely different kind of defensive player than Acuna. Acuna is an unquestioned speedster who should be able to handle center field if given the chance. Getz’s other evaluations of Acuna are on point even if a little exaggerated and maybe a few years outdated.

Upon joining the Mets in 2023, Acuna was a sparkplug in the farm system many dreamed of becoming the next starting second baseman. He was rated at the top or near it immediately on every prospect list. The Mets ate such a large part of Max Scherzer’s salary based on what Acuna was meant to be. In his two and a half seasons with the Mets organization, he showed signs of brilliance but more so of being useful rather than undeniable.

Acuna played several positions for the Mets in the majors and minors. One thing he never did was swing from the left side. Getz either has him confused with Mauricio (or someone else maybe?), he doesn’t know what a switch hitter is, or he failed to do his homework. Mispeaking or getting information like this is bad, but excusable. Doing it this many times tells us he truly believes he has a player who swings from both sides of the plate.

In any case, David Stearns should probably call him up again for another trade before he realizes his mistake. Perhaps the cash considerations the Mets sent the White Sox for Bryan Hudson was in Steve Cohen coins, only available at the Mets Team Store.