In just two seasons with the Mets, David Stearns has already cycled through multiple center field solutions.
Aug 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) reacts after hitting a double against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The pattern began quietly with Tyrone Taylor, a low-cost depth move that never promised long-term stability.
That was followed by the uncomfortable Jose Siri trade, a decision that aged poorly almost immediately.
Stearns then tried again at the 2025 deadline, renting Cedric Mullins at a steep prospect cost.
Each move felt temporary, reactive, and ultimately unsatisfying for a team needing consistency.
Center field became less a position and more a recurring problem the Mets could not escape.
Luis Robert Jr. now enters as the latest answer, but the circumstances feel fundamentally different.
Even in a down season, Robert provides power, speed, and defense beyond what past options offered.
His stolen base totals and defensive reliability set a baseline the Mets rarely reached before.
At his worst, Robert still meets the minimum threshold of competence the position demands.
Compared to Taylor, Siri, or Mullins, the gap in upside is undeniable.
Robert also fits the athletic profile Stearns clearly prefers for center field roles.
The key difference is that Robert’s floor is higher than the ceilings of previous experiments.
The trade cost further strengthens the argument that this deal stands apart.
Moving Luisangel Acuña cleared roster space while avoiding the heavy pitching losses seen before.
Acquiring Robert without surrendering multiple top arms feels like a strategic correction.
If the Mets finally found stability in center field, this trade will age better than all its predecessors.
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