Matt Johnson
The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets have been two of the best MLB teams in 2025. With both clubs having World Series aspirations, it appears they are both monitoring a potential trade for the same hitter.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today writes that the Mets and Phillies are “keeping close tabs” on All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. ahead of the trade deadline.
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- Luis Robert stats (ESPN): .185/.270/.313, .584 OPS, 8 home runs, 22 steals
Robert, age 27, has been one of the worst hitters in baseball this season. Now two years removed from his All-Star season in 2023—a campaign in which he posted an .857 OPS with 38 home runs—the center fielder’s production has plummeted ever since.
The right-handed hitter is also showing no signs of an imminent turnaround. Entering MLB games today, he has a .194/.275/.371 triple-slash line and has failed to clear a .650 OPS in any month this season.
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Robert’s trade value has dropped so low that the Chicago White Sox are now willing to incentivize teams to acquire him. It would be a buy-low move for either club, and neither team would exercise Robert’s $20 million club option for 2026, instead buying him out for $2 million.
While there’s risk of Robert failing to deliver production even after a change of scenery, New York and Philadelphia have to explore options. Entering play on Friday, Phillies center fielders ranked 22nd in OPS (.625) and Mets center fielders ranked 20th (.657).
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