A gaping hole in the Mets outfield was filled Tuesday night.
Luis Robert Jr., a player the team tried to acquire at last year’s trade deadline, is headed to Queens following a deal with the White Sox that cost Mets infielder Luisangel Acuña and minor league pitcher Truman Pauley, the team announced.
Robert struggled offensively for a second straight season, producing a .223/.297/.364 slash line with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases last year, but remains an elite defender in center field, where he ranked in the MLB’s 93rd percentile with seven zeros above average, according to Statcast.
The addition of the 28-year-old reduces the possibility of the Mets looking to sign Cody Bellinger, the top outfielder on the free agent market.
Bellinger reached a stalemate in negotiations with the Yankees this week and it was previously thought the Mets could seriously pursue him.
That possibility isn’t completely ruled out, but it has become less likely as Robert is under contract for $20 million this season.
His deal also includes a $20 million club option through 2027.
The Mets needed infield help last summer and pursued a deal for Robert, but it never materialized.
The White Sox sought Mark Vientos as part of the deal, and the Mets eventually brokered a trade with the Orioles for Cedric Mullins, who disappointed during his two-month stay in Queens.
The Mets started last season with Jose Siri and Tyrone Taylor in center field, but Siri suffered a broken tibia in April and missed most of the season.
He was ineffective upon his return and was released. Taylor brings elite defense to the position, but has limited offensive upside.
As it stands now, the Mets have outfield prospect Carson Benge ready to compete for an outfield job in spring training, with Taylor also in the mix.
Juan Soto is the incumbent in right field as he enters the second season of his record-setting $765 million contract.
Last week, the Mets in their pursuit of the top free agent on the market missed out on Kyle Tucker, who agreed to a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers.
According to a source, the Mets had offered $220 million and believed they were in a strong position to land the former Astros star.
The Mets quickly pivoted and signed Bo Bichette to a three-year deal worth $126 million that included two opt-outs.
Bichette, who played second base and shortstop for the Blue Jays last season, will play third for the first time in his career.
His signing became official Tuesday evening and the team will introduce him during a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field.
An outfield with Robert and possibly Benge, paired with Marcus Semien at second base, speaks to president of baseball operations David Stearns’ emphasis on improving the club defensively.
The Mets acquired Semien, last year’s American League Gold Glove winner at second base, in a November trade with the Rangers for Brandon Nimmo.
Semien’s arrival allowed the Mets to trade Jeff McNeil, who was shipped to the Athletics, for a minor league pitcher.
The Mets saw Pete Alonso leave last month on a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles.
Jorge Polanco arrived days later on a two-year, $40 million contract and is positioned to become the regular first baseman.
But Polanco has only played one Major League game at the position.
Acuña, who starred as a late-inning defensive reliever/pinch runner, was expendable because the Mets had a glut of infielders after the additions of Semien and Bichette.
As it stands now, Brett Baty is left without a permanent position and Ronny Mauricio remains in the fold, who could potentially start the season at Triple-A Syracuse.
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