Category: MLB

A closer look at the Hall of Fame chances for 8 current, former Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

This year’s class for the National Baseball Hall of Fame was a fulfilling one for Phillies fans. Beloved slugger Dick Allen, one of the best hitters in the Era of the Pitcher, was finally voted in posthumously, and Billy Wagner became one of the few closers to make it to the Hall.

There haven’t been many players who played a majority of their careers in Philadelphia in Cooperstown. In fact, before Allen, you have to go all the way back to Richie Ashburn’s induction in 1995. Such is the existence for the losingest franchise ever.

However, in the more recent history of the Phillies, and the current roster, there are several players who have Hall of Fame possibilities. And in the wake of Hall of Fame weekend, and as he head toward Phillies Wall of Fame and Alumni festivities this weekend, it’s a fine time to examine eight current and former Phils and Hall of Fame chances.

Bobby Abreu

Abreu definitely produced offensively during his career. Seven seasons with 40-plus doubles, nearly 2,500 hits, 400 stolen bases, 1,453 runs scored, and a lifetime OPS of .870. His problem is that he was never among the best for multiple seasons running. The Hall is reserved for the best of the best. Abreu played 18 seasons, but he was named to just two All-Star teams. One Silver Slugger, one Gold Glove, zero top-10 finishes in MVP voting. The cumulative numbers look good, but when you put them up against fellow players, they just don’t measure up. He appeared on 19.5% of Hall of Fame ballots in 2025, his 6^th year of eligibility.

Hall Watch (out of 5 stars): 1.5 stars

Cole Hamels

Hamels has an interesting argument. 163 career wins doesn’t sound like a Hall of Fame number, but from the start of his career in 2006 to 2018, he has 156 wins, which ranks 7^th in baseball, just behind Max Scherzer (159) and Felix Hernandez (164), and third in Ks behind Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

He was named to four All-Star teams, finished in the top-10 in Cy Young Voting four times, and we all remember how unhittable he was during the 2008 playoffs. Coming up big in the postseason carries some extra weight. But in the end, I’m not sure he separated himself enough. 2026 is his first year on the ballot, the returns should be interesting.

Hall Watch: 2 stars

Bryce Harper

Where do you start when listing the accolades for Harper? Two MVP awards, 8 All-Star games, four Silver Sluggers, 351 home runs… and he’s three months shy of 33 years old! He has hit 767 extra-base hits in his career to date. That ranks 24^th of all players prior to their 33^rd birthday. More than Barry Bonds, more than Ted Williams, more than Mike Trout.

34 players have won two or more MVPs; 23 of the other 28 eligible players are in the Hall of Fame. The outliers? Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Roger Maris, and Dale Murphy. Harper already has more career home runs than Maris, and is 47 shy of Murphy. I shouldn’t have to explain the other three.

Harper has been in the harsh media spotlight since well before his MLB career began, and he has excelled throughout. All that’s really missing from his career to this point is a World Series ring.

Hall Watch: 4.5 stars

Ryan Howard

From 2006-to-2011, Howard was a player you could describe as an SWYD All-Star: when he’s up to bat, Stop What You’re Doing. Homework, dinner, taking out the trash, it can wait. Howard’s up. And often, he rewarded your patience. He was the most feared power hitter in the game during that span, averaging – averaging! – 43.7 homers and 132.7 RBI over that 6-year romp. For context, in the last 105 seasons, only seven players aside from Howard had THREE seasons with 43 HR and 132 RBI. Ruth, Sosa, Gehrig, Griffey, A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, and Jimmy Foxx.

Howard won the 2006 NL MVP, then finished fifth, second, third, tenth, and tenth again in MVP voting. The issue with Howard’s unreal run is that, frankly, that was it. He tore his Achilles to end the 2011 NLDS against the Cardinals, and never fully got back to super status. Many players have shooting-star careers like Howard, very few of them shine so brightly during their meteoric flight to alert Hall voters.

Sandy Koufax’s best seasons were the final five of his career, and in those five seasons, he was untouchable. 3 Cy Youngs, an MVP, and two World Series titles. The best pitcher in the game, during the Era of the Pitcher. Outside of those seasons, however, he was a below-average pitcher for eight seasons. But what he did at his best superseded all of that mediocrity.

While Howard’s best was great, it wasn’t great for long enough.

Hall Watch: 2.5 stars

Jimmy Rollins

On to another cornerstone from the 2008 roster, and the player that ignited the team whenever it seemed they needed it. The Phillies hit king (2,306 of his 2,455 career knocks) has 500+ doubles and 400+ stolen bases, one of 12 players all-time to reach those milestones. Nine of them are in Cooperstown. Four Gold Gloves, and the 2007 NL MVP, a season he put the team on his back down the stretch.

But J-Roll made just three All-Star teams. One Silver Slugger. For his career, his OPS+ was 95, which is below league average for his position. Rollins’ career, while made up for several great Moments, didn’t have many great seasons.

Hall Watch: 2 stars

Kyle Schwarber

Before signing with the Phillies prior to the 2022 season, Schwarber wasn’t a player you’d consider as anything approaching a Hall-of-Famer. But the last three-plus seasons have been a reinvention for the slugger. To count how many players with more homers than Schwarber’s had as a Phillie (168) since the start  of 2022, you’d need just two fingers: Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. He has nearly reached SWYD status.

This blistering run has more than doubled his career home run total to 321 and counting. At the age of 32, his next 4-5 seasons will go a long way toward determining his candidacy for the Hall. Currently with just three All-Star nods and a Silver Slugger, a career home run figure would likely need to be in the high 400s for Cooperstown to come calling.

Hall Watch: 3 stars (with a bullet)

Chase Utley

Utley was arm-in-arm with Howard during the Phillies’ Golden Era of 2007-2011, and, you could argue, was more valuable overall than The Big Piece. His bWAR in that span (34.7) was second only to Albert Pujols. He always gave it his all, and was a fan favorite as a result.

But he was sorely lacking in one area during those years, and several others in his career: availability. Utley’s hair-on-fire playing style took a severe toll on him, and just as an example, he missed 145 games from 2007-2011. That’s nearly an entire season sitting out.

Also similar to Howard, his injuries caused his late-career production to suffer greatly. From 2009 until his final season of 2018, he topped 140 games in a season just once. Had his knees not betrayed him, who knows? So far, the Hall of voters have given him some love (39.8% in 2025), but he has a ways to go.

Hall Watch: 3.5 Stars

Zack Wheeler

The final candidate here could reap the benefits of voters changing their calculus on what determines Cooperstown worthiness for career starting pitchers.

Wheeler, 35, stands at 112 career wins. But in this era of starters going just 5-6 innings, bullpens notoriously blow what could have been several sure wins for the starter. The 3-time All-Star, like Schwarber, is another player whose career has undergone a resurgent second act in his Phillies Era.

Here are his ranks among Starters (min. 125 GS) since the start of the 2021 season:

• 2.89 ERA (1^st)
• WHIP (1^st)
• 64 wins (T-2^nd)
• 1,018 strikeouts (2^nd)
• .601 opponents’ OPS (2^nd)
• .211 opponents’ average (3^rd)

The one thing noticeably lacking from his resume is a Cy Young, and he has been mind-numbingly close, finishing second to Corbin Burnes in 2021 and Chris Sale last season. (Can someone kidnap Paul Skenes for a couple weeks?)

Wheeler has said on the record that he will play until his current Phillies contract expires, at the end of the ’27 season. If healthy, he could earn another 25-30 wins. Could 150 career wins be a magic number? 140? We shall see.

Hall Watch: 3.5 Stars

A closer look at the Hall of Fame chances for 8 current, former Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

This year’s class for the National Baseball Hall of Fame was a fulfilling one for Phillies fans. Beloved slugger Dick Allen, one of the best hitters in the Era of the Pitcher, was finally voted in posthumously, and Billy Wagner became one of the few closers to make it to the Hall.

There haven’t been many players who played a majority of their careers in Philadelphia in Cooperstown. In fact, before Allen, you have to go all the way back to Richie Ashburn’s induction in 1995. Such is the existence for the losingest franchise ever.

However, in the more recent history of the Phillies, and the current roster, there are several players who have Hall of Fame possibilities. And in the wake of Hall of Fame weekend, and as he head toward Phillies Wall of Fame and Alumni festivities this weekend, it’s a fine time to examine eight current and former Phils and Hall of Fame chances.

Bobby Abreu

Abreu definitely produced offensively during his career. Seven seasons with 40-plus doubles, nearly 2,500 hits, 400 stolen bases, 1,453 runs scored, and a lifetime OPS of .870. His problem is that he was never among the best for multiple seasons running. The Hall is reserved for the best of the best. Abreu played 18 seasons, but he was named to just two All-Star teams. One Silver Slugger, one Gold Glove, zero top-10 finishes in MVP voting. The cumulative numbers look good, but when you put them up against fellow players, they just don’t measure up. He appeared on 19.5% of Hall of Fame ballots in 2025, his 6^th year of eligibility.

Hall Watch (out of 5 stars): 1.5 stars

Cole Hamels

Hamels has an interesting argument. 163 career wins doesn’t sound like a Hall of Fame number, but from the start of his career in 2006 to 2018, he has 156 wins, which ranks 7^th in baseball, just behind Max Scherzer (159) and Felix Hernandez (164), and third in Ks behind Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

He was named to four All-Star teams, finished in the top-10 in Cy Young Voting four times, and we all remember how unhittable he was during the 2008 playoffs. Coming up big in the postseason carries some extra weight. But in the end, I’m not sure he separated himself enough. 2026 is his first year on the ballot, the returns should be interesting.

Hall Watch: 2 stars

Bryce Harper

Where do you start when listing the accolades for Harper? Two MVP awards, 8 All-Star games, four Silver Sluggers, 351 home runs… and he’s three months shy of 33 years old! He has hit 767 extra-base hits in his career to date. That ranks 24^th of all players prior to their 33^rd birthday. More than Barry Bonds, more than Ted Williams, more than Mike Trout.

34 players have won two or more MVPs; 23 of the other 28 eligible players are in the Hall of Fame. The outliers? Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Roger Maris, and Dale Murphy. Harper already has more career home runs than Maris, and is 47 shy of Murphy. I shouldn’t have to explain the other three.

Harper has been in the harsh media spotlight since well before his MLB career began, and he has excelled throughout. All that’s really missing from his career to this point is a World Series ring.

Hall Watch: 4.5 stars

Ryan Howard

From 2006-to-2011, Howard was a player you could describe as an SWYD All-Star: when he’s up to bat, Stop What You’re Doing. Homework, dinner, taking out the trash, it can wait. Howard’s up. And often, he rewarded your patience. He was the most feared power hitter in the game during that span, averaging – averaging! – 43.7 homers and 132.7 RBI over that 6-year romp. For context, in the last 105 seasons, only seven players aside from Howard had THREE seasons with 43 HR and 132 RBI. Ruth, Sosa, Gehrig, Griffey, A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, and Jimmy Foxx.

Howard won the 2006 NL MVP, then finished fifth, second, third, tenth, and tenth again in MVP voting. The issue with Howard’s unreal run is that, frankly, that was it. He tore his Achilles to end the 2011 NLDS against the Cardinals, and never fully got back to super status. Many players have shooting-star careers like Howard, very few of them shine so brightly during their meteoric flight to alert Hall voters.

Sandy Koufax’s best seasons were the final five of his career, and in those five seasons, he was untouchable. 3 Cy Youngs, an MVP, and two World Series titles. The best pitcher in the game, during the Era of the Pitcher. Outside of those seasons, however, he was a below-average pitcher for eight seasons. But what he did at his best superseded all of that mediocrity.

While Howard’s best was great, it wasn’t great for long enough.

Hall Watch: 2.5 stars

Jimmy Rollins

On to another cornerstone from the 2008 roster, and the player that ignited the team whenever it seemed they needed it. The Phillies hit king (2,306 of his 2,455 career knocks) has 500+ doubles and 400+ stolen bases, one of 12 players all-time to reach those milestones. Nine of them are in Cooperstown. Four Gold Gloves, and the 2007 NL MVP, a season he put the team on his back down the stretch.

But J-Roll made just three All-Star teams. One Silver Slugger. For his career, his OPS+ was 95, which is below league average for his position. Rollins’ career, while made up for several great Moments, didn’t have many great seasons.

Hall Watch: 2 stars

Kyle Schwarber

Before signing with the Phillies prior to the 2022 season, Schwarber wasn’t a player you’d consider as anything approaching a Hall-of-Famer. But the last three-plus seasons have been a reinvention for the slugger. To count how many players with more homers than Schwarber’s had as a Phillie (168) since the start  of 2022, you’d need just two fingers: Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. He has nearly reached SWYD status.

This blistering run has more than doubled his career home run total to 321 and counting. At the age of 32, his next 4-5 seasons will go a long way toward determining his candidacy for the Hall. Currently with just three All-Star nods and a Silver Slugger, a career home run figure would likely need to be in the high 400s for Cooperstown to come calling.

Hall Watch: 3 stars (with a bullet)

Chase Utley

Utley was arm-in-arm with Howard during the Phillies’ Golden Era of 2007-2011, and, you could argue, was more valuable overall than The Big Piece. His bWAR in that span (34.7) was second only to Albert Pujols. He always gave it his all, and was a fan favorite as a result.

But he was sorely lacking in one area during those years, and several others in his career: availability. Utley’s hair-on-fire playing style took a severe toll on him, and just as an example, he missed 145 games from 2007-2011. That’s nearly an entire season sitting out.

Also similar to Howard, his injuries caused his late-career production to suffer greatly. From 2009 until his final season of 2018, he topped 140 games in a season just once. Had his knees not betrayed him, who knows? So far, the Hall of voters have given him some love (39.8% in 2025), but he has a ways to go.

Hall Watch: 3.5 Stars

Zack Wheeler

The final candidate here could reap the benefits of voters changing their calculus on what determines Cooperstown worthiness for career starting pitchers.

Wheeler, 35, stands at 112 career wins. But in this era of starters going just 5-6 innings, bullpens notoriously blow what could have been several sure wins for the starter. The 3-time All-Star, like Schwarber, is another player whose career has undergone a resurgent second act in his Phillies Era.

Here are his ranks among Starters (min. 125 GS) since the start of the 2021 season:

• 2.89 ERA (1^st)
• WHIP (1^st)
• 64 wins (T-2^nd)
• 1,018 strikeouts (2^nd)
• .601 opponents’ OPS (2^nd)
• .211 opponents’ average (3^rd)

The one thing noticeably lacking from his resume is a Cy Young, and he has been mind-numbingly close, finishing second to Corbin Burnes in 2021 and Chris Sale last season. (Can someone kidnap Paul Skenes for a couple weeks?)

Wheeler has said on the record that he will play until his current Phillies contract expires, at the end of the ’27 season. If healthy, he could earn another 25-30 wins. Could 150 career wins be a magic number? 140? We shall see.

Hall Watch: 3.5 Stars

What we learned as Giants' losing streak hits six with Pirates completing sweep originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – Buster Posey’s plan at his first MLB trade deadline as the Giants’ president of baseball operations was revealed in the middle of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings when he dealt former teammate Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets in exchange for three players. 

The reliever had been the heart of the bullpen since making his MLB debut in 2019. But Posey was put in a bind with the way the Giants had been playing as of late.

A fielder’s choice where the ghost runner to start the inning scored from third base was the Giants’ demise this time, handing them their sixth straight loss while getting swept by the last-place Pirates. The Giants (54-55) now are below .500 for the first time this season.

Logan Webb’s recent struggles were wiped away, keeping Pirates hitters off-balance and racking up strikeouts. The only trouble Webb ran into was the fifth inning when he allowed his only run of the day. Webb finished with 11 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, walking four and giving up five hits. 

As it often happens, Webb didn’t receive the help he needed or deserved. Now, more moves and more hugs for teammates could be in store for the Giants ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ loss to end an ugly 0-6 homestand.

Webb’s Gem

July hadn’t been kind to the Giants’ staff ace. Webb allowed six earned runs in his previous start and came into Wednesday with a 7.36 ERA for the month. He saved his best for last, doing all he could to get the reeling Giants out of a rut.

11 Ks for Webby today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K5CtHbnyh5

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 30, 2025

When Oneil Cruz tossed his bat and helmet in disgust after looking silly striking out on a Webb changeup to end the top of the first inning, it was clear what kind of day it was going to be for the Giants’ All-Star, as well as the Pirates’ offense. Webb struck out eight batters through the first three innings after having only five strikeouts in his previous two starts.

He was up to 10 strikeouts after four innings, but finally ran into trouble in the fifth, right after the Giants’ bats came to play. The Pirates began the fifth with back-to-back hard hits to the outfield, giving them their third and fourth hits of the day, as well as their first run. But Webb avoided real trouble when he snagged a grounder right at him with the bases loaded, got the out at home and pumped his fist at catcher Patrick Bailey throwing out Nick Gonzales at first base for a double play to end the inning.

Webb was pulled with two outs in the sixth inning and a runner at second base after throwing a season-high 109 pitches. His 11 strikeouts fell one short of his career high. 

Not Enough Help

While Webb was dealing, the Giants’ offense continued to struggle the first time through the order. San Francisco was hitless in the first three innings, going nine up and nine down. Dating back to the last out of the fourth inning in Tuesday night’s loss, 25 consecutive Giants had been retired. 

Leadoff hitter Heliot Ramos put an end to that to begin the bottom half of the fourth inning, smacking a sharp line drive to left field. The flood gates slightly cracked, and the Giants took advantage. Willy Adames continued his red-hot July with a hard-hit liner of his own to left, and Dominic Smith scored Ramos on a ground ball to right field.

Runs for Webby 👏 pic.twitter.com/OKqw4vxjQk

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 30, 2025

But the Giants then went ice-cold at the plate. Half of their six hits came in the fourth inning, and they didn’t score again. They didn’t have another hit until Mike Yastrzemski’s drag bunt in the eighth inning. The Giants had 11 hits in the first game of the series, and then just eight in the next two games combined. 

The Struggle Is Real 

Timing is everything, and Rafael Devers had the perfect opportunity to shift the Giants’ thinking at the trade deadline just as they began selling. With Yastrzemski 90 feet away at third base and the score tied 1-1, Devers could have ended his hitless streak and played hero in front of the home fans. He instead flew out to left field, stranding Yastrzemski at third. 

Devers now is hitless in his last 17 at-bats. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Wednesday, finishing the Giants’ three-game series against the Pirates 0-for-10 with four strikeouts. His dip at the plate extends further than a three-game series. 

The slugger was batting .272 with a .905 OPS when the Giants acquired him from the Boston Red Sox. Devers finished July hitting .230 for the month (20-for-87) and is batting .216 (40-for-185) since June 1.

Yes, the trade deadline is Thursday. And yes, there still are two months of the regular season left. Devers will have to figure something out at the plate if the Giants have any chance of turning things around.

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With Aaron Judge on the 10-day IL, the Yankees have made a move to improve their outfield depth, trading for White Sox outfielder Austin Slater, per SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino.

In exchange, the Yankees are sending right-handed pitching prospect Gage Ziehl to Chicago. Ziehl, a fourth-round pick in 2024, was ranked as the Yankees' No. 18 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He has pitched to a 4.15 ERA this season across three levels of the Yankees' system, topping out at Double-A Somerset.

Slater, 32, can play all three outfield positions and hits lefties well, slashing .270/.362/.436 with 30 homers in 1,006 plate appearances, including a .522 slugging percentage against lefties this season.

A nine-year pro, Slater -- who is set to be a free agent at the end of this year -- spent his first seven-and-a-half seasons with the San Francisco Giants, and he's also spent some time with the Reds and Orioles.

General manager Brian Cashman continues to add, with the club recently acquiring third baseman Ryan McMahon and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario. Per Martino, the Yankees are still working on acquiring relievers ahead of Thursday's 6 p.m. deadline.

Watch Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski make incredible leaping catch into net originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Mike Yastrzemski is one of the greatest Giants outfielders ever to patrol right field at Oracle Park, and he proved that once again during Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With no outs in the eighth inning of a 1-1 ballgame, Yastrzemski ran what seemed like a mile, leapt into foul territory and into the net to catch a fly ball hit by Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski.

WHAT A CATCH BY YAZ 😱 pic.twitter.com/HzxPHQrAAM

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 30, 2025

Yastrzemski put his body on the line — especially poignant considering his comments about Victor Robles earlier in the 2025 MLB season, when the Seattle Mariners outfielder injured his shoulder on a similar play at Oracle Park.

“That was incredible,” Yastrzemski told reporters after that game in April. “It’s one of the best outfield plays I’ve ever seen in my life. Obviously hope that nothing went too wrong and he’s able to bounce back quick, but man, what an unbelievable effort and commitment to his team that says a lot about his character. That’s incredible to see.”

On Wednesday, Yastrzemski made his own incredible play.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Phillies are going to add bullpen arms, trades or no trades originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CHICAGO – A couple of bullpen arms are making their way to the Phillies during the upcoming weeks, one the organization hopes will give them some serious help for the rest of the season, the other who will become just a rental for the rest of the regular season.

Recently acquired righthander David Robertson pitched another inning Tuesday for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and his work was very pleasing to manager Rob Thomson.

“Good. One inning. Nine pitches. Gave up a base hit,” Thomason said. “The velocity was 90-plus. Didn’t touch 91. Threw strikes. He’ll pitch Friday. He wants to do it (back to backs). It might be a little bit early. He’s just building up.”

Robertson was signed by the Phillies on July 20 after sitting out the beginning of the season to be with his wife and kids, with the understanding that if the right opportunity arose, he could always go back and pitch. The 40-year-old got that itch and the Phillies were more than happy to have him join the team for his third stint.

The other reliever is lefthander Jose Alvarado, who was suspended on May 18 after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. He is eligible to re-join the team on August 18, which could be a huge boost to the club. But his ineligibility for the post-season is a huge loss for the Phillies. The organization has been keeping in touch with Alvarado, who is back in Venezuela. The plans for him when he returns are going to be a little bit up in the air.

“I think when he first gets back you got to see how he’s throwing the ball, what type of command and that sort of thing,” said Thomson. “So maybe you start him off in some lower leverage (situations). If it’s really good you start moving him down towards the end of the game.”

Kepler getting close?

Following Tuesday’s win over the White Sox, Thomson spoke of the hard luck outfielder Max Kepler had in the game when he hit a couple of balls extremely well, only to be caught for outs. “This is going to sound contradictory but he’s getting the head out and staying in the middle of the field,” he said. “He’s getting the head out and finishing his swing. Short to, long through, however you want to call it. But his swing is a lot better.”

Whether the Phillies get a big bat before Thursday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline or not, they are simply going to need more offensively from Kepler, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract in the offseason. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Kepler had a .203 batting average in 305 at bats with 11 home runs and 33 RBI.

Lineup notes

The trade deadline influences many strange things in baseball, like players being traded in the middle of a doubleheader to a team they are playing (see Seranthony Dominguez) or players being pulled from a start at the last moment.

The White Sox were to start righthander Adrian House on Wednesday, but he was lifted in favor of lefthander Tyler Alexander. The Phillies had their lineup posted in the clubhouse, then took it down, then put it back up with no changes, meaning Thomson’s heavy left-handed lineup would face Alexander. The reasoning?

“I’m going to stay with it just cause I don’t know how long this guy is going to go,” said Thomson. “He’s been a starter in the past but he hasn’t had multiple innings. He got up to three innings within the last month and he just pitched the other night.”

With the MLB trade deadline a day away, the Mets are discussing a potential trade with the White Sox that would bring Luis Robert Jr. to Queens.

According to multiple reports, New York has been one of the most aggressive suitors for Robert, with one source telling Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that the Mets are the "frontrunner" to land him.

In addition to the Mets, the Phillies and Padres are also interested in Robert, per Buster Olney of ESPN.

Olney also noted that the White Sox "are resolute in the stance that they'll either receive a trade return equivalent of what Robert's potential is or hang onto him beyond the deadline."

Mark Vientosand Luisangel Acuña are "among the names that have come up" between the Mets and White Sox, according to Olney.

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Monday that the Mets were discussing Vientos in trade talks.

Robert's year at the plate hasn't been great, but he has erupted over the last two weeks, slashing .318/.412/.545 with three homers in 51 plate appearances over 13 games.

Going back to June 6, Robert has been strong, hitting .257/.342/.456 with six homers in 115 plate appearances spanning 31 games.

The Mets are currently using Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil in center field, which is less than ideal given Taylor's offensive struggles and McNeil being out of position.

President of baseball operations David Stearns hedged a bit recently when asked about upgrading center field. But he explained that the team would be open to it if the player they acquired passed a certain "bar" for them.

Whether Chicago is bluffing or not when it comes to the return they're seeking for Robert remains to be seen, but it's hard to picture any team paying top dollar in terms of major league talent and/or position players in order to acquire a player who has struggled badly at the plate over the last two seasons, posting a combined OPS+ of 83.

What complicates matters is that while Robert can be a free agent after the season, his contract contains a pair of club options -- worth $20 million each for 2026 and 2027.

That means the Sox could theoretically keep him and pick up his option if he excels down the stretch. It also means an acquiring team isn't taking on much risk, but could reap a serious reward if Robert snaps back into being the player he was as recently as 2023, when he smashed 38 homers and had an .857 OPS.

Still just 27 years old, Robert's potential is immense. And while his offensive ceiling is the most tantalizing part of his game, he's also an elite defensive center fielder.

The Mets conclude a three-game series against the Padres in San Diego on Wednesday at 4:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

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Mets Notes

• Ronny Mauricio is hitting .308/.375/.569 with four homers and five doubles in 72 plate appearances over his last 21 games
• Brett Baty has reached base safely in nine of his last 10 games and has a .782 OPS since June 23
• Edwin Diaz has allowed one earned run since April 21. For the season, he has a 1.48 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 42.2 innings

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• Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  

• To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.