NY Mets-White Sox trade is what everyone should’ve expected

There was a moment, however brief, that Luis Robert Jr. looked like the next big thing for the New York Mets. He hit a walk-off home run in the season-opening series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which was the highlight of a hot start that saw him carrying a fledgling lineup alongside Francisco Alvarez and Juan Soto.

Unfortunately, that torrid stretch wasn't meant to last. In his final 10 games prior to succumbing to his first Mets injury (a herniation in his lumbar spine disk), Robert hit a paltry .132 with a .364 OPS. That cold streak has dropped his overall season slash line to .224/.327/.329 (93 wRC+).

Though the team is hopeful that this will be a short stay on the injured list for the center fielder, back issues are nothing new for Robert, which isn't exactly a comforting trend. There's no firm timeline on his return, but the Mets knew this kind of absence was a distinct possibility when they traded for him.

At least the Chicago White Sox aren't faring much better, right?

Mets-White Sox Luis Robert Jr. trade proving to be a rare lose-lose deal

To acquire Robert, David Stearns surrendered Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley. Neither is making a case to stick around with the Pale Hose for the long haul.

Acuña has been especially abhorrent, which is the kind of development the Mets wanted to shield themselves from. His offensive regression has continued to a severe degree this year, as the 24-year-old is now batting .178/.247/.192 in his first 27 games with the White Sox. In particular, his power has been nonexistent, as he's mustered just one extra-base hit (a double) in 86 trips to the plate.

He remains a solid baserunner and passable defender, though the White Sox have refused to give him any time at his best position (second base). All of his contributions thus far add up to a 19 wRC+ and -0.6 fWAR. For however bad you think the Mets have been this year, know that both of those figures would rank dead last among the team's regulars.

It's not like Pauley is saving face, either. Now 22 years old, he's struggling in Single-A this year to the tune of a 7.45 ERA, which actually looks a bit generous compared to his 8.71 FIP. Like his brief time in the Mets organization, he has no sense of the strike zone, working a comical 21.3% walk rate that will keep him from ever advancing without serious course correction.

If you were to re-grade this trade today, it's safe to say that neither team would receive a passing mark. The optimism that originally stemmed from the deal has dissipated for both sides, to the point where every player involved may need to find employment elsewhere in short order.

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