The White Sox announced three moves today, including the placement of outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on the 10-day injured list. Robert is suffering from a “mild” left MCL sprain, and the IL stint will officially send his 2023 season. Tyler Naquin’s contract has been selected from Triple-A to take Robert’s spot on the active roster, and Jimmy Lambert was shifted to the 60-day IL to open up space for Naquin on the 40-man roster.
Robert left Sunday’s game due to soreness in his left knee, so it isn’t surprising that trip to the injured list was in order. The Sox noted that Robert is expected to be fine within 2-4 weeks of recovery time, so the injury won’t have any impact on his readiness for the offseason or for Spring Training.
Though Robert will end his fourth MLB season on the injured list, he has played in 145 games and amassed 595 plate appearances, both easily career bests for the 26-year-old. He played in only 166 of a possible 324 games in 2021-22 due to a variety of injuries, yet as MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald observed in a post earlier this month, staying healthy has finally allowed Robert to show the form that made him one of baseball’s top prospects.
Robert will finish the 2023 season with 38 homers, 20 steals (from 24 chances), 90 runs scored and a .264/.315/.542 slash line, translating to a 128 wRC+. Beyond that offense, Robert also figures to contend for his second Gold Glove, with +6 Defensive Runs Saved and +13 Outs Above Average in 1207 2/3 innings in center field. Among all qualified players, only 15 players have a better fWAR than Robert’s 5.0 total.
Robert’s injury creates an opportunity for Naquin to appear in his first Major League game of the 2023 season, continuing his streak of appearing in at least a piece of every MLB campaign since his 2016 rookie season. He signed a minor league deal with the Brewers during the offseason and spent most of 2023 with Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate, foregoing his contractually mandated opt-out dates while also battling some shoulder problems.
In early August, the Brewers traded Naquin to the White Sox, a post-deadline deal made possible because Naquin hadn’t spent any time on the Brewers’ 40-man roster or Major League injured list. The 32-year-old has hit .257/.317/.408 over 269 combined PA at the Triple-A level this season.
Lambert underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery last week, so the move to the 60-day IL is just a formality since his season was already over. The White Sox provided an update on Lambert today, saying that he is expected to be fully recovered after 2-3 months.
Lone bright spot in a dismal year for the White Sox. Fair question- trade to him rebuild the farm or keep to build around?
He’s signed for 4 more years. I’m on the fence on what they should do. It would have to be for a haul for sure.
I don’t have a lot of faith in this front office to get good value for trading him. It’s not going to be pretty this next offseason for the White Sox.
Trading star players for premium prospects is one of the easier trades to successfuly pull off. The prior regime couldn’t do much else right but they could trade stars for prospects
Sure, at the time it might look good getting highly ranked prospects but Sale for Moncada and Kopech is far from a good trade. It’s turned out pretty ugly
You are correct Joe. And on top of that it’s prob the best sellers market in the history of baseball. Still though, if someone was to botch that situation – it would be that white sox front office.
I don’t foresee success in any scenario that involves the White Sox developing a player. They’re lucky Robert is a natural, and one who can succeed on his own skill. Outside the lines, you can see Robert lacks baseball IQ, passion, and leadership. I get you can’t ask for everything from any or all players, but the WSox sure know how to minimize results.
Do the poor guy a favor and send him to a real franchise. Probably the difference between the HOF for him or not.
Nah, no HOFer here. Darryl nailed it: “lacks baseball IQ, passion, and leadership”.
The right organization, and coaching staff, could put him on a HOF trajectory. The Sox are horrid with instilling fundamental values from the top down. That’s how Chris Getz, former head of the league’s consistently bottom-5 minor league system, was rewarded & promoted to GM. You don’t have to earn it in this organization. You just have to keep your mouth shut and make this-season-will-be-different-style hype videos before every doomed to fail season. It’s like watching politics.
Question: Why not just put Robert on the 60-day?
What’s the point unless there’s a need to open a roster spot to select a contract, which, this late in the season, seems pointless.
Which they did by moving Lambert to the 60-day, to add Naquin to the 40-man. Why make two moves?
Robert, you are a definite candidate for the White Sox front office!
Not sure if that’s a compliment.
Yes, they need to think outside the box.
Like releasing Robert so he can play for a winner? jk
Reinsdorf is 87.
Dude hit 38 home runs, and only drove in 80. If you hit that many home runs last century, you were almost guaranteed 100 RBI. Granted, he probably had no one on base in front of him, ever, but the league has turned into a bunch of Chris Carter. Nuts.
Robert has a penchant for forgetting how to hit with runners on. The RISP average for the White Sox this season has been godawful. Runners in scoring position average should be one of the most important stats for a hitter in the 3,4,5, and even 6 spots in the order.
Robert and Moncada should be given strict instructions on how to eat and how to train in the off season with them having to report into the trainers every month. If they refuse, move them, let them be ‘flash in the pans’ for other orgs who think they can get something more out of them.
I love Robert’s potential but he has to stay healthy. One bright spot is lately he has been sliding feet first into bases when stealing.. its a start, but both of these guys need to show they are serious about reaching their potential.