Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns explains why New York kept Luis Robert Jr. beyond Monday's MLB trade deadline. The New York Mets completed a deadline selloff Monday but retained center fielder Luis Robert Jr. despite sustained trade speculation. The Mets explored a Robert trade, but no agreement materialized before the 6 p.m. Retaining Robert gives the Mets additional time to determine whether his power, speed, and defense can reemerge after an injury-disrupted season. His performance through September will help determine whether the Mets exercise the option or pay the buyout after the season.