Jul 30, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) at bat during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Where things stand with Mets and centerfielder Luis Robert Jr.

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI | By Pat Ragazzo | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 3:00 PM ET

It sounds like talks have cooled down on this front.

The New York Mets and Chicago White Sox have been discussing a trade for centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. However, nothing appears to be close as the 6 pm EST MLB trade deadline inches closer.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Mets are "not close on Luis Robert Jr. at the moment." As Heyman notes, the White Sox could hold onto Robert and pick up his $20 million club option in 2026.

Mets are not close on Luis Robert Jr. at moment. Not out of the question White Soc hold Robert and consider $20M 2026 option as @Feinsand said. CF remains a Mets priority and Cedric Mullins is a possibility.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2025

Per Heyman, centerfield is still a top priority for the Mets and one possibility is Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles. That being said, Roberts' right-handed bat and ability to hit lefties is a better fit for the Mets as opposed to the lefty swinger Mullins.

SNY baseball insider Andy Martino reported that talks between the Mets and White Sox for Robert cooled down on Wednesday night and have yet to pick back up. Martino called Mullins to the Mets a "maybe" and highlighted that talks for Robert could "reignite."

Mets/Sox talk on Robert had cooled by last night. Obv still time to reignite but far as I can tell that hasn’t happened to this point. Mullins is a maybe
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 31, 2025

Lastly, MLB.com's insider Mark Feinsand appeared on MLB Network and said it's trending towards "unlikely" that the White Sox deal Robert ahead of the deadline. The White Sox have been unable to matchup with other teams on Robert as of this point.

.@Feinsand reports that Luis Robert Jr. appears "unlikely" to be traded ahead of today's 6pm ET Trade Deadline. pic.twitter.com/3mENVel06M
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 31, 2025

Like Heyman, Feinsand also reasoned that Chicago could pick up Robert's $20 million club option next season, which is why they'd choose to not trade him at the deadline.

The Mets already lost a centerfield option in old friend Harrison Bader, who the Minnesota Twins traded to the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies earlier this afternoon.

If the Mets cannot land Robert or Mullins, it's possible that they will be sticking with their centerfield platoon of Jeff McNeil and Tyrone Taylor.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: