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Ex-MLB GM calls Mets not trading $70M slugger 'bizarre' despite obvious reason for no deal
Ex-MLB GM calls Mets not trading $70M slugger 'bizarre' despite obvious reason for no deal originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The New York Mets were major sellers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Huascar Brazoban, Brooks Raley, A.J. Minter, and Luke Weaver were all dealt from the team's pitching staff.
But only Tyrone Taylor was traded away from their position player group. To the surprise of former MLB GM Jim Bowden of The Athletic , $70 million outfield slugger Luis Robert Jr. was not traded.
Bowden called Robert's not being dealt a "bizarre" outcome, despite the glaring issues with a potential trade for the struggling right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Why Mets keeping Luis Robert Jr. through MLB trade deadline isn't 'bizarre' like ex-MLB GM thinks
"Player who should have been traded but wasn't: Luis Robert Jr., New York Mets," Bowden writes. "With so many teams looking for right-handed hitting, it was bizarre to see him not traded."
Bowden believes Robert should have been traded at this year's deadline, and there was plenty of reporting coming out that teams were expressing interest, or the Mets were open to trading him at this year's deadline.
But trading Robert was always going to be an uphill battle. He's making way too much money on his $70 million deal, as he has a $20 million contract this year, and another major club option for 2027 that most teams probably wouldn't want to extend.
Even though Robert is only 29 years old and was an All-Star with Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, he's just not been close to worth his contract this season.
He missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, likely already diminishing his value. But, when he did play, Robert had a .604 OPS in his season with a 69 OPS+. He's 31% worse than the league-average hitter this season.
MORE : What did Mets get for Freddy Peralta? Rays send three prospects for 4.99 ERA SP
Sure, teams might have been searching for right-handed hitting this summer, and Robert, as an outfielder, would've normally had plenty of suitors.
But his struggles this season are far too much for clubs to ignore. It makes little sense for a contender, regardless of their financial status, to acquire Robert when most other trade targets are cheaper and have greater upside and less risk.
Robert didn't really ever have a chance of developing a market, as no team was willing to take on his massive contract, let alone spend better prospects to have the Mets pay down part of it.
It's not really all that "bizarre" that Robert wasn't traded, despite what Bowden believes. Robert had very low odds of being traded, as there wasn't much reason to pursue a trade for Robert at this year's deadline, regardless of a team's needs.
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Tigers receive lousy grade for Tarik Skubal trade to Dodgers from ESPN
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Royals DFA former Phillies All-Star reliever Matt Strahm after trade deadline
MLB GMMetsThe Sporting NewsAdd The Sporting NewsPreferred SourceThe New York MetsMLBMinterLuke WeaverTyrone TaylorMLB GM Jim BowdenThe Athletic
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