Despite a recent report suggesting that the White Sox were “totally open for business” and willing to trade Luis Robert Jr., the 26-year-old will remain on the South Side. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on Sunday that the White Sox will hold onto Robert Jr. for the remainder of the season.
Nightingale writes:
– The Chicago White Sox are resisting all temptation to trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who is scheduled to return in June after being sidelined two months.
Bob Nightengale via ”Insane where this kid has come from’: Tarik Skubal’s journey to become Detroit Tigers ace” USA Today
Robert may be their best trade asset but he’s only 26 and is under team control through the 2027 season.
Bob Nightengale
It’s no secret that the White Sox will be sellers at the deadline. Nightengale reported in early May that the White Sox were expected to trade Tommy Pham, Erick Fedde, Chris Flexen, Mike Clevinger, Micheal Kopech, and Eloy Jimenez.
However, the news that the White Sox are resisting the urge to trade their star center fielder should come as no surprise, even after conflicting reports from earlier this month. While Robert Jr. would fetch a good haul he was considered “untouchable” over the offseason. He then suffered a Grade 2 hip flexor strain seven games into the season, which has kept him out of the lineup since April. Trading him after he has spent months on the IL does not seem like the best way to maximize his trade value.
Robert Jr. can still be considered a key piece to build a future contender around. The 2023 All-Star is fresh off a season where he hit 38 home runs, drove in 80 RBIs, and stole 20 bases. He was also a runner-up for a Gold Glove Award for his work in center field. His recent success has made him the undisputed face of the White Sox. Robert Jr. is plastered over the team’s media guides, programs, commercials, and bulletin boards surrounding the ballpark. On Saturday the team even held a Robert Jr. bobblehead giveaway for the first 20,000 fans despite the fact he hasn’t played a game since April.
Aside from being their most marketable player at the moment, he is also a key piece they can build a future contender around. Robert Jr. still has three and a half years of control and is owed just $15 million next season with club options in 2026 and 2027 worth $20 million.
