Morning Briefing: Mets Make Trade, Announce Bichette Presser

Good morning, Mets fans!

In a late-night trade Tuesday, the Mets acquired Luis Robert Jr., sending Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley to Chicago in return.

Acuña, still just 23, headlines Chicago’s return. The Mets originally acquired him in the Max Scherzer trade back in 2024. He made a strong first impression, hitting .308/.325/.641 with three home runs in just 40 plate appearances. However, his power numbers regressed in 2025, as he slashed .234/.293/.274 over 193 plate appearances with no home runs. Still, Acuña provided the Mets with a strong glove and should continue to shine defensively in Chicago.

Pauley, the Mets’ 2025 12th-round pick, also heads to Chicago. He boasts a fastball with late life and a sharp slider. After posting strong strikeout numbers at Harvard, he impressed in 4 1/3 innings of Single-A action last year.

The 28-year-old Robert Jr. had 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases last season, but struggled to the tune of an 84 wRC+, though his second-half wRC+ was 126. He is a strong defender in center field with 7 outs above average in 2026 and 33 for his career in center field.

Read MMO’s report here and stay tuned to the site for further analysis.

Latest Mets News

Mets top prospect Jacob Reimer is now the league’s second-best third base prospect (per MLB.com‘s rankings), behind 2025 draft pick Andrew Fischer. He received a 60-grade for his power as he transitions into more of a slugger.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets, Cardinals, and Yankees have all been in contact with left fielder Austin Hays. For both New York teams, however, the big fish is still Cody Bellinger, per Heyman. With Robert joining the Mets, a Bellinger signing now seems far less likely.

MMO‘s Mike Mayer reports that former Met Sean Reid-Foley has a minor league deal with the Braves. He last pitched in the majors for the Mets in 2024 and threw 14 innings in Triple-A Syracuse last year.

Carlos Beltrán‘s former teammates and managers send him congratulations for making the Hall of Fame!

On behalf of the organization, we are thrilled to congratulate Carlos on receiving baseball’s highest honor,” said Steve and Alex Cohen. “A dynamic player with power, speed, and elite defense, Carlos set a lasting standard of excellence. This is a proud moment for him, his family, and Mets fans everywhere.”

On Tuesday, Beltrán shared his excitement with MLB Network about which team’s cap he will choose for his Hall of Fame plaque.

The Mets have officially welcomed Bo Bichette into the organization, inspiring the social media slogan: ‘Let’s Bo’. The Mets will hold a presser at 1 p.m. ET today.

Latest MLB News

Congratulations to Andruw Jones for making the Hall of Fame!

Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said he felt the team was close in talks to sign Bo Bichette and was disappointed when it fell through. “I did think we were going to get a deal done…We were close….It was a gut punch…But until you have a signed memo of understanding, you don’t have a deal,” he said, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today. On the possibility of pursuing another marquee free agent, Dombrowski added: “We’re content where we are.”

ESPN‘s Jeff Passan reports that the Miami Marlins are acquiring right-hander Bradley Blalock from the Colorado Rockies for a minor league pitcher. Blalock, DFA’d by the Rockies last week, adds pitching depth after Miami traded Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers.

Despite already adding elite talent in Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker, the Dodgers are still exploring acquiring Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta as insurance for a rotation affected by last season’s injuries. Katie Woo of The Athletic has more on the Dodgers’ pursuit of Peralta.

Mets officials are considering retiring Beltrán’s No. 15 this season if he’s elected to the Hall of Fame (which he was), though scheduling could be tricky with the team’s planned Mets HOF ceremony and 40th anniversary of the 1986 championship.

Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive, there hasn’t been much in regards to talks between Eugenio Suárez and the Red Sox.

Jon Paul Hoornstra of Newsweek writes that veteran pitcher Rich Hill, who played for a record 14 MLB teams and helped the Dodgers reach back-to-back World Series, has decided not to return for a 22nd season, per an appearance on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast.

The Washington Nationals announced that they have claimed utility man Mickey Gasper off of waivers from the Minnesota Twins.

The Rangers have designated former Mets prospect Dom Hamel for assignment.

Per the New York Post‘s Jon Heyman, Bryce Miller and the Mariners have settled to avoid arbitration, agreeing to a $2.4 million salary for 2026 with a club option for 2027 at $6 million (or a $15,000 buyout). If Miller finishes 1st through 5th in the 2026 Cy Young voting, the 2027 option is voided.

According to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, MLB owners are reportedly “raging” over Kyle Tucker’s deal with the Dodgers and are there is a “100 percent certainty” they will push for a salary cap. The Dodgers and Mets may be the only teams resisting a cap, and negotiations over the next collective bargaining agreement could begin early in the 2026 season.

The Brewers announced they will honor two legends in 2026, congratulating CC Sabathia and the late Dave Parker as this year’s inductees into the Brewers Wall of Honor.

Latest on MMO

Evan Mazza looks at the players who wear a Mets cap on their Hall of Fame plaque.

Robert Colonna writes about how David Stearns has shaped the Mets’ relationship with the media.

On This Date in Mets History

2002: In a three-team trade, the Mets send Benny Agbayani and Todd Zeile to the Rockies, Lenny Harris and Glendon Rusch to the Brewers, and acquire Jeromy Burnitz, Ross Gload, Mark Sweeney, Jeff D’Amico, Craig House and Lou Collier.

2006: The Mets acquire John Maine and Jorge Julio from the Orioles in exchange for Kris Benson.

2025: Billy Wagner is elected to the Hall of Fame.

Born on This Date: Bill Graham (1937), Jake Diekman (1987).

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