The New York Mets have made a major statement with the acquisition of another big-league talent for the franchise. It’s Luis Robert Jr., who arrives from the Chicago White Sox via a trade in exchange for Luisangel Acuña and right-hander Truman Pauley.
No one can doubt the immense potential of the now former Chicago player; however, there is one issue that could become a major concern within the New York organization.
There’s a problem with Luis Robert Jr.
You can be a great player, but if you can’t stay on the field, it doesn’t matter. That’s exactly where a problem arises for the Mets, as one of the biggest challenges for Luis Robert Jr. has been his difficulty staying healthy over extended periods.
The 28-year-old outfielder played just 110 games in 2025 after suffering a left hamstring injury. A second injury sidelined him from August 26 through the end of the season, during which the team managed only 60 wins.
Just a couple of years ago, Luis Robert Jr. put together one of the most complete seasons in recent White Sox history. In his 2023 campaign-which earned him an All-Star selection-he posted an offensive line of .264/.315/.542, with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 90 runs scored, and 80 RBIs.
This five-tool talent has shown over extended stretches that he can perform at an elite level, but the reality is that he failed to sustain that offensive impact during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In that span, he posted a .660 OPS and hit 28 home runs in 210 games-numbers well below what’s expected from a player of his caliber.
Beyond the stats, Robert is recognized as a low-key but valuable clubhouse presence, committed to daily work and focused on refining every aspect of his game. The White Sox exercised their $20 million club option for 2026, and still hold another $20 million club option for 2027 (with a $2 million buyout) before the outfielder can become a free agent.
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