There has been growing speculation that the White Sox will trade Luis Robert Jr. this offseason. But finding a trade partner for the 27-year-old centerfielder has proven to be difficult. Because of this ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the White Sox could take a lesser deal just to unload Robert.
According to Olney, the White Sox are intent on dealing Robert, and other teams are reading it “as a tell that Chicago wants to cash out on whatever diminished value Robert has now, rather than risk seeing his value crater even more through another subpar season.”
Robert is fresh off the least productive season of his career. In 425 plate appearances, he slashed .224/.278/.379 with 14 homers, 35 RBIs, and a gaudy 33.2 percent strikeout rate. Despite the struggles, there are plenty of reasons he could be an attractive piece to opposing teams. There are few impact bats available in free agency. Robert is a five-tool player who already has an All-Star appearance, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger Award to his name. At the age of 27, he is just entering his prime.
In 2023 he hit a career-high 38 homers and drove in 80 RBIs to go along with 20 stolen bases. If the White Sox didn’t believe that Robert was part of the team’s future they would have been better served trading him last offseason when his value was at an all-time high. An argument could be made that the White Sox are better off holding onto Robert in the hopes he can rebuild his value with a productive 2025 season.
However, a rival official told ESPN that if the White Sox really believed he was going to bounce back they would hold onto him until next summer. Robert’s checkered injury history is also a red flag for several teams. Last season he missed 62 games after being out of the lineup lineup from April 6 to June 4 with a right hip flexor strain. In 2022 he was limited to 98 games after three stints on the IL. During the 2021 season, he played just 68 games after suffering a hip flexor injury while running to first base on May 2nd against the Guardians.
By trading Robert this offseason the White Sox are selling low. But they are motivated to do so by the $15 million they are on the hook for if Robert plays in a White Sox uniform next season. That $15 million will turn into $20 million next season, and while the front office does not want to pay that type of money for a former All-Star on a losing team, it is hard to justify letting a player of Robert’s caliber walk for nothing. Because of this don’t be surprised if the White Sox are forced to settle for an underwhelming trade package for Robert. The Atheltic’s Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo previously reported that the White Sox are not asking for multiple prospects but want a “meaningful piece in return.”
