White Sox’s views on Luisangel Acuna after Mets trade: ‘Didn’t want to let him go’

White Sox Enthusiastic About Luis Angel Acuña’s Arrival

The White Sox are feeling optimistic with the addition of Luis Angel Acuña. Just a day after trading All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets, general manager Chris Getz shared his excitement regarding Acuña, whom he believes holds significant promise.

Getz emphasized the importance of integrating Acuña into their lineup. He noted, “We’re talking about a player who has had control for over five years and is one of the young, exciting players in our game who hasn’t really found his footing at the major league level yet.”

Acuña, 23, was acquired by the Mets at the 2023 trade deadline as the key piece in the deal that sent the renowned pitcher Max Scherzer to the Rangers. According to MLB.com, he ranks as New York’s third-best prospect for 2024, having showcased his potential in a brief debut, where he achieved a batting line of .308/.325/.641, hitting three home runs and driving in six runs over 14 games.

Initially, he had a promising start in 2025, even earning National League Rookie of the Month honors in April. However, his performance dipped considerably, leading to his demotion to Triple-A. He ended the season with a disappointing .234 average, no homers, and eight RBIs in 95 games.

Despite these setbacks, Getz is optimistic. He sees Acuña’s speed and versatility—having experience playing multiple positions—as vital attributes that could enable him to thrive with regular playtime.

Earlier this month, Acuña also delivered an impressive performance in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting four home runs, underlining his potential.

Getz speculated that the Mets might not have wanted to let go of Acuña, given his value to the organization. “Right now, he was on a roster that we couldn’t get him to play and perform on a regular basis. We’ll be able to provide that,” he said.

The optimism around Acuña was echoed by Mets director of baseball operations David Stearns during a recent GM meeting. He praised Acuña’s ability, claiming, “He’s a very good defender in multiple positions, and an elite runner.” He added that Acuña doesn’t have to be outstanding offensively to secure an everyday role in the majors.

In a recent Instagram farewell post, Acuña expressed his gratitude to the Mets and excitement for his new journey in Chicago, stating, “Today I begin a new chapter.” His message reflected readiness and determination as he joins the White Sox.

With the Mets signing Bo Bichette, Acuña became somewhat surplus to their needs. His trade marks yet another chapter in an eventful offseason for the White Sox, who recently signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami and former Mets prospect Anthony Kaye.