Mets receiving trade interest in $70M outfielder despite .628 OPS

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Mets receiving trade interest in $70M outfielder despite .628 OPS originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets are heading towards the August 3, 2026, MLB trade deadline as clear sellers. It's not what the Mets wanted to be, but selling is the only real course of action at the deadline that makes sense for the franchise.

As sellers, the Mets are sure to field plenty of trade interest in Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver, Francisco Alvarez, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley. But an unexpected name has popped up as someone already garnering interest.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets are seemingly garnering interest in $70 million, .628 OPS outfielder Luis Robert Jr. ahead of the deadline. This is an unexpected, but welcome, development for the Mets.

Mets getting trade interest in Luis Robert Jr.​

"Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who just returned from the injured list Monday after missing more than two months with a spine issue, is generating preliminary trade interest from multiple teams, according to a person briefed on the situation," Sammon and Rosenthal report.

This trade update for the Mets is a little strange, but it's very welcome. With how Robert hasn't lived up to expectations this season due to his lengthy injury absence and his on-field struggles, being able to trade him would be a huge win.

The 28-year-old center fielder is owed $5.9 million during the 2026 season after the trade deadline, and he's also got a $20 million club option (with a $2 million buyout) for 2027.

That buyout and club option could complicate the return on a deal, but if the Mets were willing to pay down that $2 million buyout, they might get some contenders making serious offers.

MORE: White Sox have strong interest in Mets’ Clay Holmes with scout attending rehab assignment

Part of why Robert, who has a .628 OPS this season with a 77 OPS+ in 89 at-bats this season, is garnering trade value is that the right-handed outfield hitters are not abundant at all this summer.

Robert might be the best righty-hitting outfielder made available for trade, if not one of the highest-upside outfielders who could be on the move this summer.

That will give the Mets a real chance to trade Robert for a return, even if it's not a very good one. Anything in exchange for Robert would be a win, as his struggles in recent seasons make him someone not close to worth that $20 million option in 2027.

David Stearns and Steve Cohen might have a chance to trade Robert this summer, as he's reportedly garnering trade interest already. While the jury is still out if that interest will lead to a deal, it's a good starting point for the Mets as they prepare to sell.

More MLB news:​

• Braves injury update on Spencer Strider has execs ‘pessimistic’ about a 2026 return
• Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances
• Yankees send scouts to Cubs vs. Twins series amid trade interest in three players
• Phillies ‘would love’ to trade for Mets reliever Luke Weaver
• MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline

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