Mets still talking to White Sox about Luis Robert Jr. (report)

2:47 PM UTC

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest Mets-related free agent and trade rumors right here.

July 31: Mets land two more relievers; CF next?
The Mets made more moves to bolster their bullpen on Wednesday, acquiring right-handed closer Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals and landing right-handed submariner Tyler Rogers from the Giants. New York also traded for lefty Gregory Soto from the Orioles on Tuesday.

The Mets have been connected to some other higher-profile relief targets on the market, but with Helsley, Rogers and Soto in the fold, the club could be freed up to focus on addressing center field, a position that has produced a .602 OPS this season for New York entering Thursday's games.

Luis Robert Jr. has been linked to the Mets in multiple reports over the past few days, including those from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) and ESPN’s Buster Olney. As of Thursday morning, they were still talking to the White Sox about Robert, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

As both Rosenthal and Olney noted, there has been a large gap between Chicago’s valuation of Robert and how other teams view him. With the ability to retain Robert for two more years via a pair of $20 million club options, the White Sox appear to be shopping Robert as a controllable asset, reportedly seeking at least one of a trade partner’s top 10 prospects in return. But the other clubs in the mix for Robert likely view him as more of a rental, believing $20 million is too steep of an investment in a player with his history of injuries and inconsistency.

With that in mind, it's possible that Cedric Mullins -- a pending free agent -- could be an easier acquisition for the Mets. Mullins has a .738 OPS, 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 91 games this season.

July 28: Mets open to trading Vientos (report)
The Mets have been discussing corner infielder Mark Vientos in recent trade talks, and rival executives believe the team is open to moving him, according to a report from SNY's Andy Martino, who notes that the Mets are looking for relievers, a center fielder and possibly a starting pitcher. Per Martino, rival executives get the sense that the Mets are more willing to deal Vientos than Brett Baty.

Martino's report comes a day after USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the White Sox want the Mets to include Vientos in any deal for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (see below).

Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required) previously reported that the Mets were open to trading from their infield stockpile to acquire relief pitching.

Vientos, who is controllable through 2029, has produced just six homers with a .638 OPS this season, but he had 27 dingers and an .837 OPS a year ago. He also put up a .998 OPS with five homers in the 2024 postseason.

July 27: Mets reportedly keeping tabs on center-field market
Looking to upgrade in center field, where they are currently using a platoon of Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported Friday that the Mets are among the many teams to inquire about Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox.

We now have an idea of what the White Sox are looking to get back in exchange for Robert, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that Chicago wants the Mets to include third baseman Mark Vientos in any deal for Robert.

With a pair of $20 million club options remaining on Robert’s contract, the White Sox are willing to be patient in trade talks. FanSided’s Robert Murray has heard from sources who said Chicago is operating as if it will have Robert under contract for two more years rather than taking a “get something while we can stance” with the Cuba native, who will turn 28 on Aug. 3.

Robert is slashing just .206/.293/.343 this season, but hit .351 with two homers and a .982 OPS over his first 11 games in July. He also has a 38-homer season on his resume and remains a superb defender in center field.

If New York is looking for a lower-cost option in center field, the Orioles' Cedric Mullins -- a pending free agent -- could be a preferable target over Robert. Per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Mets are keeping an eye on Mullins in addition to Robert. That said, the 30-year-old has regressed as a defender and entered Sunday with a .595 OPS in his past 68 games.

July 25: Mets among the teams that have checked in on Sandy Alcantara (report)
Could the Mets land a former Cy Young Award winner at the Deadline?

According to the New York Post's Mike Puma, the Mets are among the teams that have checked in on Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Understandably, Puma reports that the asking price is steep, despite Alcantara experiencing a down season.

After missing all of the 2024 season due to Oct. 2023 Tommy John surgery, Alcantara has struggled in his first year back, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 104 innings. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner has struggled across the board, experiencing an increase in walks and hard contact while striking out fewer batters. Any team acquiring him -- such as the Mets -- may view Alcantara as more of a wild card this season with the hopes he can fix himself down the stretch and into next year. Alcantara is under control through next season ($17.3 million in '26) with a $21 million club option for 2027.

The Mets rotation has been a strength much of this season, with a 3.40 ERA that ranks fourth among MLB rotations. Injuries to Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning have been offset by the returns of Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, which has given the Mets a healthy and strong group of five starters. Acquiring Alcantara could help with workloads for Clay Holmes and David Peterson, with Holmes already surpassing his career high in innings and Peterson about to exceed his career high.

July 23: Mets have held talks regarding Padres ace Cease (report)
Will the Mets end up going all the way across the country to fill their desire to add a starting pitcher?

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Mets are one of the teams that have talked about the Padres' Dylan Cease, who has emerged as an option for teams looking for starting pitching help in the trade market.

The 29-year-old has a 4.64 ERA over 108 2/3 innings this season, but his expected ERA is a much more reasonable 3.46. Cease's whiff rate is an impressive 34.3% (his best since 2021), and his strikeout-minus-walk rate (21.6%) ranks eighth among qualified pitchers in MLB. He is slated to reach free agency after this season.