Cuban outfielder Luis Robert, a 19-year-old prospect who’s hoping to be cleared to sign during the current July 2 period, has a variety of possible suitors, as Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. But the White Sox may be the team most likely to land Robert, per the report, given their current approach to the international market. Badler goes on to profile the talented youngster in detail in the post, which also includes some video.
Here’s more on the South Siders:
- Hopefully, Robert’s process of moving to the majors won’t be nearly as wild as the experiences of many other Cubans, including White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who testified yesterday in the human trafficking trial of former agent Bart Hernandez and trainer Julio Estrada. As the Associated Press reports (via ESPN.com), Abreu said that he literally ate the fake passport he used to board a plane to the United States while on board. The slugger is set to take the stand for further testimony today.
- Right-hander Nate Jones gave the White Sox a bit of a scare when he had to exit yesterday’s game after being hit on the leg by a one-hop comebacker, but the Chicago setup man has been diagnosed with a bruised knee, per Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. That’s certainly good news for the club, as Jones could end up representing quite an interesting trade chip at the deadline this summer (if not before). The high-powered reliever, who’s controlled through 2021, could also step into the closer’s role if David Robertson is dealt.
- The White Sox still don’t have a timetable for third baseman Todd Frazier’s return from an oblique strain, as MLB.com’s Barry Bloom reports. That’s due in part to the fact that it’s spring, with Frazier noting there’s “plenty of time” left for him to make it into competitive action. For now, the veteran is working out but making “slow progress.” The situation seemingly makes it less likely that the White Sox will strike a late deal involving the veteran, though rushing him back would run the risk of spurring a much bigger problem.
Luis Robert would be a great asset for this rebuild. Fits in with guys like Kopech, Dunning, Basabe and some others.
Nate Jones could be a very nice piece at the deadline as a guy like Miller who can close but could also be a multi inning RP that throws hard and strikes out a lot of people.
I don’t understand why everyone all of a sudden thinks their team has its own Andrew Miller. The guy has always had talent, he was drafted before Kershaw and Scherzer, it’s not like he came out of nowhere. He could always throw multiple innings or in any role asked of him which many guys aren’t even willing to do, i.e. Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel and many others. But as far as Luis Robert, he’s the perfect player for the ChiSox even if he costs what Moncada did.
I think it is more of using “Andrew Miller” as a recent and well know example of a relief pitcher, but not closer, who was traded and clearly has value. It is not to say Nate Jones = Andrew Miller in terms of talent; nor to suggest the Sox could expect quite the same return when/if Jones is traded. (That being said Jones is a year younger with a very team friendly contract, and that must be factored into his value).
As for Robert, when we first heard about him I thought it would be nice if the Sox could go after him, and it is nice that it seems like that could be a reality.
He actually was closing though. Jones hasn’t succeeded in the closer role yet. Miller was the closer while Chapman was suspended.
So what you’re saying is that using andrew miller is a nonsensical comparison because he isn’t him and it’d just make more sense to call him a good reliever who can pitch multiple innings?
UCAlex- I have made this comment multiple times. It’s infuriating. Multi-inning relief pitcher who can also close =/= andrew miller.
Why the hell is it “infuriating”? That’s just stupid you get that upset by it.
The international signing rules…do they seem as complicated to most everyone else? The windows that open and close and the ability to spend more than you are allowed to but then their are punishments…enough to make my head hurt! That said…I hope the White Sox do sign him and that he turns out to be better than Dayan Viciedo!
Luckily, starting next signing period, it’s a hard cap.
This author didn’t do a very good job of conveying the information in the article, because if you read the entire piece, it would become clear that the White Sox are not the most likely team. This is because:
“Robert has submitted all his paperwork to the commissioner’s office already. Based on the timetable of when that happened and the recent pace of MLB clearing Cuban players, it seems likely that Robert will be able to sign before the 2016-17 international signing period closes on June 15… Before then, teams are still free to spend past their bonus pools. Most of the teams with the best chance to sign Robert are the ones that have already exceeded their pools. The Padres and Cardinals are drawing the most attention. The Astros could be in the mix. The Braves, Reds, Nationals and Athletics are also over their bonus pools.”
So it seems likely that Robert will be cleared before June 15th, making one of the above teams the most likely. The White Sox don’t even come into the conversation until…
“If Robert is not cleared until after June 15, the White Sox would have more room than most in their bonus pool to sign him.”
So, if the process is delayed, which is not likely based on Badler’s reporting, then the White Sox would have more money to sign him during the hard cap period. Again, before the hard cap period, teams will be willing to blow past their budget, especially teams that have already gone over the soft cap.
JTT Your logic is based on the fact that before this there was not a hard cap in the offing. Everyone is assuming MLB has no interest in saving the owners money and that this process is on the up and up. Think again. I hope I’m wrong. Hate him if you want but Selig had power that Manfred doesn’t. Selig as a former owner had the power to insure fairness even if it cost owners money. Manfred is definitely an employee of the owners. Let’s see what happens.
Some of those teams, like the Reds, Padres, and Athletics, may not want to spend much money. Also, there’s the situation to think about. With the WS, he wouldn’t be blocked in the OF, so all he has to do is play well in the minors. There are also 2 Cubans already on the WS and a manager who speaks fluent Spanish. If the WS continue their rebuild by dealing away Robertson, Frazier, and Quintana, they’ll have arguably the best farm system in baseball even before Robert, which will hopefully translate into multiple years of contention not too far from now. Finally, the Sox have trimmed their team salary and can afford to bid high for him. Certainly, it’s possible he goes elsewhere, but he and Chicago seem like great fits for each other.
More potential good news for the White Sox this morning. This kid would be the perfect sign for the rebuilding White Sox who, despite the jump in the prospect rankings following their two December trades, still lack impacting hitters who can play the outfield.
The Sox OF is wide open. A. Garcia will be given another opportunity to succeed as a RF. He is still young and has been hampered by injuries. CF is open with Tilson hurt. LF likely goes to Cabrera. Not much defense there. I wonder what Adam Engel and Jacob May have to offer, and I like the potential of this Robert kid-if we can land him. Yes we do need OF who can hit.
Send avi G to minors and keep Leaury G in OF who is burning up AZ this spring, another winning RBI today
L Garcia always hits well in early spring and then does nothing during regular season ball. He is versatile and could stick anyway. I hope he has improved. We need outfielders who can hit.
Quick note: Abreu testified that he ate 1 page of his fake passport (unsurprisingly, the one with his picture & fake name), not the whole thing.
It would be cool if Viciedo made a comeback in the bigs