NY Mets trading away their Luis Robert backup plan might've been premature

As the MLB trade deadline looms, the New York Mets find themselves at a crossroads, with a glaring need for a permanent center fielder. The current rotation of Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil has proven to be less than ideal, and the front office has been aggressively seeking an upgrade. All signs pointed to them being one of the most aggressive suitors for Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr. However, recent reports from insiders like MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand indicate a shift in the market. The White Sox, a team that has been hesitant to move their young star, are reportedly seeking a return so substantial that it may be a no-go.

With the primary option for a center field upgrade seemingly off the table, the focus must shift to alternatives like Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles. But what happens if the Mets are unable to secure Mullins or another viable option through a trade?. Unfortunately, a recent move by the Mets has arguably closed off one option, and it could prove to be a costly, premature miscalculation in their pursuit of a center field upgrade.

A good move that now seems like a risky trade-off

In a move that bolstered their bullpen, the Mets recently acquired veteran submarining right-hander Tyler Rogers from the San Francisco Giants. While Rogers provides a much-needed boost to an injury-plagued bullpen, the cost of the trade was significant. To acquire Rogers, the Mets traded away two prospects and one major league pitcher, Blade Tidwell, José Buttó, and outfielder Drew Gilbert.

The trade of Drew Gilbert, in particular, may prove to be a premature decision. Gilbert, a first-round pick in 2022, was the Mets’ #14 prospect according to Baseball America. While he may not have been tearing up Triple-A with a standout batting average, he still represented a potential in-house option for center field—a backup plan, if you will.

His departure leaves the Mets without a clear, ready-to-go minor league option to challenge the struggling Tyrone Taylor for playing time. Had the team held onto Gilbert, he could have been a late-season call-up to provide a much-needed jolt of energy and offense to the Mets' outfield.

The Mets' decision to trade away Drew Gilbert has created a high-stakes situation. By moving on from their most promising in-house backup plan, they have placed an enormous amount of pressure on their front office to execute a trade for a center fielder. With Luis Robert Jr. seemingly off the market and the current center field situation a clear liability, the Mets’ trade deadline strategy has no room for error.

The move for Tyler Rogers may have fortified the bullpen, but it came at the cost of flexibility and a safety net. Whether the Mets can now pivot and successfully acquire Cedric Mullins or another viable option remains to be seen, but they have undeniably put all their eggs in the trade basket, and the clock is ticking on a move that could define their season.