Sinking fast once again after posting the worst record in Major League Baseball history, the Chicago White Sox already appear open for business, and the Mets are amongst those checking in.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that New York has checked in on slugging center fielder Luis Robert Jr., though MLB Network’s Jon Heyman added that there is “nothing hot at the moment.”
Currently, the Mets’ center-field situation is in flux with Jose Siri sidelined because of a broken leg. Tyrone Taylor is receiving the bulk of the playing time, with Jeff McNeil and Jose Azocar receiving occasional reps.
Even with Siri progressing quicker than expected, president of baseball operations David Stearns is at least doing his due diligence to address the center-field depth and perhaps even catch lightning in a bottle.
The 27-year-old Robert is once again struggling at the plate this season with a .186/.293/.326 (.619 OPS) slash line with five home runs, 16 RBI, and a league-leading 15 stolen bases.
He is just two years removed from a career year in Chicago, in which he hit 38 home runs with 80 RBI and finished 12th in the American League MVP voting. On last season’s all-time-worst squad, he hit just 14 home runs with 35 RBI and a .657 OPS in 100 games.
Perhaps Robert could see a bump in production in a lineup with more protection. His glove is reliable in center field, which is a major prerequisite for Stearns’ Mets.
Nightengale reported that the White Sox are interested in the Mets’ No. 15-ranked prospect, pitcher Blade Tidwell, who made his MLB debut in a spot start against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 3 and gave up six runs in 3.2 innings of work. The 23-year-old has a 4.45 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in seven starts for Triple-A Syracuse.
