The White Sox and New York Mets have frequently been mentioned as potential trade partners at this year’s deadline. We now know who the South Siders could target in a possible deal. Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the White Sox “love” Mets infielder Mark Vientos. He also stated that “maybe a deal gets done there” on Wardy NYM’s YouTube show.
Vientos' Player Profile
Vientos, 25, had a breakout season in 2024. The right-handed hitting infielder slashed .266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs and a 136 OPS+ in 111 games last season. However, he has taken a significant step back this year. Entering the day, he is hitting just .224/.279/.354 in 72 games. He is also among the worst defensive players in MLB from an OAA perspective.
Potential White Sox Fit
Despite his struggles this season, Vientos could appeal to the White Sox for several reasons. He has proven that he can hit for power at the MLB level, which the Pale Hose desperately need more of. Additionally, he is only 25 years old and not scheduled to reach free agency until after the 2029 season, potentially giving the White Sox a long-term infield option. With Miguel Vargas already in the fold, that pairing could create stability at the corners of the infield moving forward.
The Mets are reportedly willing to trade from their infield depth and have been listed as a suitor for Luis Robert Jr. for some time. Putting two and two together, the White Sox could target Vientos in a potential Robert Jr. trade. Going after Vientos makes sense if the Chicago seeks an MLB-ready return instead of prospects who are far away from the big leagues.
No Shortage Of Robert Jr. Suitors
The Mets are far from the only team interested in Robert Jr.’s services. Francys Romero reported earlier today that the Philadelphia Phillies “are seriously considering and monitoring” Robert Jr.'s availability. Jon Heyman of the New York Post also said there has been “significant outside interest” in the White Sox centerfielder.
Even after a slow start and some injury issues, there appears to be no shortage of suitors for Robert Jr. ahead of Thursday’s deadline. He has still provided his typical value defensively and on the bases. He also owns a .966 OPS against southpaws this season and is hitting a much more respectable .253/.339/.434 in 31 games since June 1st. It appears he heated up just in time for the White Sox to get something of value back for him. If Chris Getz plays his cards right, a bidding war for Robert Jr. appears to be possible.
Final Word
The White Sox should have plenty of moving parts over the next few days. Several players will likely be headed out, and the front office will work the phones to extract as much value from their assets as possible. Expect a lot of transactions this week.
