TODAY: The Phillies also had recent interest in Robert, as per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, continuing Philadelphia’s explorations in a Robert deal back at the trade deadline. Robert’s right-handed bat would be a nice complement to lefty-swingers Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford in the Philadelphia outfield, and having an experienced center field option like Robert provides the Phillies cover if Crawford isn’t quite ready for prime time as he makes his MLB debut.
DECEMBER 13: Last month, the White Sox picked up their $20MM option on Luis Robert Jr. General manager Chris Getz signaled that the club planned on Robert being their starting center fielder in 2026. That has not stopped clubs from inquiring on his availability in trade talks, as Francys Romero of Beisbol FR reports that the Mets, Padres, and Pirates have expressed interest in acquiring Robert.
The 28-year-old batted .223/.297/.364 with an 84 wRC+ across 110 games for the White Sox this year. His first half was particularly brutal, as he only hit .185/.270/.313 with a 63 wRC+ in 70 games through June 25, when he incurred a left hamstring strain that would send him to the injured list a few days later. Robert was striking out in 30.9% of his plate appearances, only marginally improved from his 33.2% rate last year. He did have a 10.2% walk rate, but for the most part, he was continuing an offensive decline that started with an 84 wRC+ season in 2024.
His second half was a clear improvement. Robert returned from the IL on July 8 and batted .293/.349/.459 with a 124 wRC+ in his next 146 plate appearances. After experiencing poor batted ball luck in the first half of the season (.245 BABIP), he benefited from positive regression upon his return (.317 BABIP). He also dropped his strikeout rate to 16.4% in the second half, bringing that mark down to 26.0% on the season. His rebound was enough for the White Sox to hold onto Robert at the deadline, despite interest from several clubs. Unfortunately, he suffered another left hamstring strain and was placed on the IL in late August, which ultimately ended his season.
The end result was a season worth 1.3 WAR according to FanGraphs. Looking at the bigger picture, it’s clear that Robert has fallen from the height of his 2023 season, when he posted a 129 wRC+ and hit 38 home runs in a career-high 145 games while earning an All-Star nod. That was the fourth season of a six-year, $50MM extension that Robert had signed in January 2020, which was then a record for a player who had not yet debuted in the majors. Robert’s production from 2020-23 made it look like a good deal, but his drop-off in 2024-25 (second-half rebound notwithstanding) made the $20MM club option for 2026 look a lot more expensive.
In the end, the team picked up the option in lieu of paying Robert a $2MM buyout. On the surface, that $18MM net amount was a lot for an injury-prone player who had posted below-average offense for two years, especially for a rebuilding club. The move may have been motivated by the lack of standout center fielders in free agency. Trent Grisham had a strong year in 2025 but accepted the qualifying offer rather than test the market. Cody Bellinger is still available, but he is a corner outfielder at this stage of his career. Harrison Bader is an exceptional defender and will do well on a multi-year deal, although his career-best offensive showing in 2025 was partly the product of good batted ball fortune (.359).
The club is hoping that Robert will have a decent offensive showing in 2026, which would make him a solid trade candidate at next year’s deadline. Still, it’s not surprising to see teams doing their due diligence now, despite Getz’s earlier comments. Eight teams were interested in Robert at this year’s deadline, including the Mets and Padres. The Mets mostly used Tyrone Taylor in center in 2025, but he only posted a 70 wRC+ in 341 plate appearances. They attempted to upgrade by trading for Cedric Mullins, but he himself posted a 66 wRC+ in 143 plate appearances and departed for the Rays in free agency. The club has prospect Carson Benge knocking on the door. A trade for Robert would be affordable for a high-payroll club and would give them an everyday center fielder if they want to ease Benge into the majors.
The Padres and Pirates are more curious fits. The former has Jackson Merrill firmly entrenched in center. He is coming off a 3.0 fWAR season and signed an extension in April that will guarantee him $135MM through 2034. Robert could be an upgrade at DH, but that wouldn’t be the best use of him since he is still a solid defender, posting 7 OAA in center in 2025. RosterResource currently pegs San Diego for a $201MM payroll in 2026, compared to $211MM this year. Team chairman John Seidler recently indicated that the team will operate at around the same level of payroll. They would need the White Sox to cover at least half of Robert’s salary to facilitate an offseason trade, and that’s before leaving room for other additions.
Meanwhile, the Pirates have shown an increased willingness to spend this offseason. They made an $80MM offer to Josh Naylor and were willing to pay Kyle Schwarber $120-$125MM before he re-upped with the Phillies. That said, Robert is obviously not on the same level as Naylor or Schwarber. Pittsburgh also has Oneil Cruz under control through 2028. Like Robert, Cruz had a below-average offensive showing in 2025 (86 wRC+), but Cruz is much more affordable, with a projected $3.6MM salary in his first turn through arbitration compared to Robert’s guaranteed $20MM. Pittsburgh may just be doing their due diligence, though the likeliest outcome is that Robert stays put in Chicago through the offseason.
Photo courtesy of Matt Marton, Imagn Images
Padres are not going to spend $20 million on a mediocre outfielder when they’ve already got a stacked outfield.
Laureano to mets, loubob to sd
@Bird Wouldn’t mind the Angels picking up Laureano to play CF.
He always played exceptional against us when he was either A’s.
@dole. I can see the angels being in on Robert. Even if they’re not included on the article.
@Rex Yes Sir
Guarantee AJ checked in for IF they trade Laureano. Due diligence.
I smell a 3-way between Mets, Chisox, Padres. Hopefully Roberts heads to SD.
3-ways can get pretty smelly.
Huge risk for the Padres.
With Tatis Jr RF,Jackson Merrill CF, Laureano & Gavin Sheets LF,
and the Padres needing at least 2 starters from outside their organization,
the only way this deal makes any sense for the Padres is if the White Sox are throwing in a couple of young starting pitchers and picking up most of the the 20M owed to Luis Robert Jr..
Luis Robert Jr.. would be a huge, unnecessary gamble for a team like thr Padres whose focus should be on starting pitching.
The only way a Luis Robert deal makes sense for San Diego is if Preller/Padres get Robert + pitching froom the White Sox and then flip Robert as trade bait in a deal to get even more starting pitching from a 3rd team that really wants and needs a CF and is willing to take a chance on Robert.
White Sox, I guarantee WILL NOT deal any of their young pitching prospects, PERIOD. Sox will not give up from a strong spot of pitchers prospects during their rebuild without really finding out what they got with them. Trading pitching prospects is off the table IMO
So you’re a Pods fan and you want Robert and you want prospects. Keep reaching for the stars. One of these decades you’ll beat out the Dodgers. Thinking 2077 could be really special
In this scenario, who are the Padres giving up if you are getting Robert and Pitching?
When did Manny Machado start playing the outfield?
Maybe he thinks Robert is gonna play some third
If they are still asking for four big prospects for him, they’ll still keep him.
I wouldn’t claim him on waivers, much less give up prospects for him. There’s no way you can’t find a better use of $20M, regardless of the team
No one would. In a trade the White Sox can pick up some money.
The Pirates will look good to ones who buy into their BS. Same song and dance, nothing to improve the club.
More too it, Robert’s is made of glass. I wouldn’t offer a single prospect for a guy who will be lucky to play 80 games each season. 2023 season, was his career best. Seasons before and after, hindered by injuries. Unless it’s the Dodgers, no one will gamble a piece or two of the future for a frequent IL recipient. If Pirates pulled this trade off, I’d be as livid as that Chris Archer trade. Hopefully Ben Cherington would have more brains than Huntington had and continue to walk down the road without engaging further. BC just window shop, just don’t buy for Roberts.
Yeah, this guy is not the answer which is why I almost expect this incompetent GM to pursue such a trade
I have to hand it to the Pirates. I thought only politicians could continually churn out such BS
They even have AJ Eustace writing an article in which he states, “The Pirates have shown a willingness to spend….” A question for AJ, just where have they shown this willingness other than throwing money at a middling, at best, reliever?
But in the author’s defense, this franchise has fooled everyone from Rosenthal to Passan to Olney and beyond with their PR. In the end, only former GM Jim Bowden is right in calling the Pirates efforts a lot of BS
Maybe the Pirates do have a willingness to spend, but to be anything but skeptical would be foolish. In any event, national guys like Rosenthal/Passan are looking for clicks rather than credibility in early December
Last year the A’s were under fire for not spending. This year it seems to be the Pirates and the Marlins. If they don’t want the grievance filed, they will spend some.
“only former GM Jim Bowden is right in calling the Pirates efforts a lot of BS”
That would be the first time Bowden is right about anything since he became an “analyst”.
As a lifelong fan, agreed. No reason to believe it until you see it. And almost signing guys and making offers doesn’t count. So far, all they did was get a young controllable OF, which may or may not help this season. And Soto is a far worse reliever than Bednar basically who’d make the same money this season. But they have another catcher who likely can’t field the position and probably has a fringe 1B/DH bat.
Exactly. The trades at deadline time last season say a great deal about this GM and this franchise. Easily, both are the worst in MLB with the worst owner in all of professional sports
They’ve somehow managed to lose every columnist in town, even the most optimistic.
Literally everyone sees these pronouncements of being “in” for what they are; a lot of hot air
Stupid people are easily to manipulate. Most journalists are stupid. Most fans aren’t the brightest but not stupid because they ain’t falling for it.
Pirates plan was to spend 30 million. It would be impressive to the stupid people but it would be similar to what they spent last year. Just with Hayes Bednar off the books and not having to sign a pitcher 1b it will seem like they are spending more. They won’t. Maybe a few bucks more but 85 to 100 million is all they will spend. They aren’t worried about a grievance, they had it filled before and what came of it? They spent less previous years and nothing happened. Nutting only priority is to make sure he keeps getting his revenue sharing so I am sure he is in complete compliance.
“Shown an increased willingness to spend” yet spend the Pirates have not. I can ask out any supermodel I want; it doesn’t mean we’re “dating”
Also, LOL at the Mets rummaging through the White Sox’ dumpster to replace two of their best players.
You are playing checkers – the Pirates are playing chess. All these runmors are smoke screen designed to divert your attention from the real plan to sign JJ Bleday. Checkmate.
We don’t want him on the Mets I’d rather have Benge or Bader
Although I could see Stearns doing something stupid like this we don’t want him. If we need to “Ease” benge into the majors what’s wrong with Taylor to do that?
I don’t want Bader. He’s another fourth OF, and I certainly don’t want Taylor starting. He’s a defensive replacement at best. Wouldn’t mind seeing them take a chance on Robert’s 2025 second half. Benge Robert Soto? Send a Vientos package with no top prospects.
I like Vientos figuring it out more than Robert finding health + consistency when you consider you get more bites at the apple with 4 years for the younger Vientos and 2 for Robert
I think Robert Jr has higher upside than both.
It feels like Luis Robert is similar to a box of expensive chocolates.
A perpetually injured box of chocolates
Russell Stovers v. Gihardelli
Gihardelli salted milk caramel is fantastic.
Tis the season for Peppermint Bark, my friend!
I’m not sure what’s worse, the White Sox picking up that option or that teams still want to trade for him. The dude has not been good or healthy for 2 years now. I can at least see the Sox doing it to lure teams in like an endorsement that they still believe, but for shame to whoever buys into it.
Another player the Pirates are interested in but they won’t spend for. Now if the White Sox are willing to pay most of his salary then they will be really interested in and may want to make a deal. Nutting may like the $2 million buyout after this season.
Can you read? Or did you see Pirates and immediately came to comment. Luis can only be traded knucklehead.
Another thing, they offered mega bucks (to the Pirates standard) for Naylor and Schwarber before they resigned with their respected clubs. 135 million is a big deal for the Pirates. I think it’s funny they offered to guys they knew wouldn’t sign the contract. But it is what it is. Effort is there though. They traded for Garcia and that is a win in my opinion
If I thought he was a free agent why would I say that the White Sox would have to pay a large part of his salary ?
The Pirates spending money on a multi year contract is all bull and I will believe it when I see it actually happen.
Your insults are not warranted nor appreciated as we are on the same boat that is going nowhere while other teams snatch up the best hitters available.
Seems foolish to believe the Pirates ever would’ve signed one of the best hitters available. Now, second tier hitters are different. And they’re still available.
Pirates are offering money for players who want to play on contending teams and compete for championships.
Everyone knows that the current Pirates ownership is not seriously competing for championships.
It is click bait for the Pirates and the Pirates documenting that they are trying to spend money to hold off a grievance against the Pirates for sucking revenue sharing money and not spending enough money on the team. Pirates will try to convice the league and grievance committee that they are makingi reasonable efforts to spend when it is all smoke and mirrors.
The Players the Pirates are bidding on have a less than zero chance of signing with Pittsburgh.
(No offense to Pirates fans. It is your owner that is trying to scam revenue sharing and high draft picks).
Sell the team to well funded ownership who will keep it in Pittsburgh and spend at least 100M in payroll each year.
The Padres aren’t a curious fit.
They’re talking Laureano for starter help..If one of the trades go through for Laureano, Robert would be a nice LF fit.
AJ’s clearly got a LOT of irons in the fire.
Even if the WS are paying most of that 20M, then that would be a downgrade offensively in LF.
Unless some offsets are included, talent one way and bad contracts the other. There’s a lot of packages that could be made around a Cronenworth or Bogaerts return.
I feel like the guy from the White Sox they should go after is Benintendi. I think his bat would play well in Petco
“Meanwhile, the Pirates have shown an increased willingness to spend this offseason. They made an $80MM offer to Josh Naylor and were willing to pay Kyle Schwarber $120-$125MM before he re-upped with the Phillies.”
MLB Rumors is just not going to let this clickbait go. No offer was made to Naylor and this has been confirmed by several sources. Possibly, the front office mulled over an offer of $78 million. Possibly. But no offer was made. If an offer was made to Schwarber it was low enough to guarantee rejection – “if” because no one has confirmed that an offer was submitted to Schwarber’s agent.
So far, Gregory Soto was signed to a one year deal – the Pirates standard approach making a trade deadline salary dump easier.
You have plenty of reason for pessimism, but most of what you said was proven untrue. In fact, their offer to Schwarber had the highest aav. Complain all you want, but complain about actual things, not the one made up in your mind.
Schwarber was never signing with Pittsburgh and Pirates ownership knew that when they made the offer.
Schwarber’s agent was using the Pirates as their “mystery bidder” to jack up the price for Schwarber only.
If something went wrong and the Pirates got stuck signing Scwarber, then they would have surely flipped him by the All Star break.
FFS. You know nothing of what went down. You’re just making stuff up.
Sure, after all nobody wants a guy with 56 homers, over 110 RBIs and runs. Keep writing, I love comedy.
Would you take total guaranteed dollars or AAV? Yeah. I thought so.
Only an idiot would take $30 million less guaranteed dollars when they know its their last contract of their career.
The Pirates certainly knew that they would not sign him.
Not happening
I would assume it’s just AJ being diligent and having a backup plan to the backup plan. Let him cook!
LFGSD, and Happy Holidays JM!
You to as well!!
This is all just “clickbait”.
All MLB teams are checking in on any and all players available (and many not available, but if they become available teams would have interest in) and just doing their “due diligence”.
As you know, It is standard operating procedure to explore all possible options for present and future acquisitions and be ready to make deals when teams align for deals..
Just doing their homework and evaluating the market place.
Obviously, , many of the players being talked about are not getting traded and not going to every team that inquires about them..
Preller and other teams are “playing the game” building their databases and white boards on players so that they are “up to speed” when circumstances change (injuries, underperformance, in or out of pennant races and so many other factors that influence and change the dymanics of player acquisitions).
Oh look. What a surprise. More Padres clickbait. It’s just relentless. Post after post after post after post. Those poor fans.
I’m good with him cooking and can’t wait to see what he serves but don’t want Robert.
The Pirates and Marlins may be looking to add payroll in order to avoid a grievance by the MLB Players’ Association.
You know that Nutting is trying to determine if a grievance would be cheaper than the salary required to avoid it
Nutting could just extend Griffen and Chandler each for a decade more to get the payroll high enough. The window has passed to do that with Skenes.
That’s every year. They don’t give a it about the grievance. They been filed against them before. Making sure they spend enough to keep receiving the revenue sharing is their #1 priority.
Much like the A’s with Severino, Roberts price tag of $20mm may be an overpay, but its all about adding payroll.
I think it’s less about a grievance and more about the CBA expiring next winter. The penny pinching owners are being forced to try to spend now so that the union can’t try to take their welfare checks away in negotiations later
Just bad journalism. Pirates won’t spend much more or anymore than last year.
He’s not getting traded until the deadline if he puts up decent numbers.
What would teams even be willing to give up for him at this point? I would love to hear what some of the offers might entail. I would give a 30 year old reliever and a bag of beans.
That’s the best case scenario. The bag of balls signed by a HOF player might be the best lol
They may find a taker but I can’t see why anyone would offer much.
If the Phillies are in, I think a package can be worked out around the fact that Robert and Castellanos have identical $20 million salaries. Neither team would have to take on any additional money. The Phillies include enough prospects to offset a difference of getting about 3 additional WAR at zero financial cost, and both teams walk away happy.
That is actually a solid deal.
Roberts would be an upgrade for the Pirates yes, but seems like they may fair just as well using García or Luciano.
Other moves or players in the package or if the team is looking to trade Cruz or another OF then it makes more sense.
Honestly i hope they give the Password a chance to play every day this season. There is legit power in that bat but he is the type of player that needs 500 AB’s to produce consistently. Garcia in RF, Cruz in CF, Reynolds in LF, and you know they will inevitably bring McCutchen back to DH is not bad. They need help at 2B/3B which is why Brandon Lowe makes more sense if the Pirates are going to make a trade
Not sure Roberts would even be an “upgrade” for the Pirates.
He had one good year.
The league figured him out and he has not been able to even come close to that one year and unless he does, then it must be counted as an aberration year.
Plus, he has been injured a lot.
Roberts was a DFA candidate this offseason.
The White Sox had so overpriced Roberts in trade discussions for multiple seasons, they took a huge gamble giving him a qualifying offer.
WS may have to attach other players to the deal to get a reasonable return on any Robert deal.
@SportsFan:
Depending on which set of stats you prefer Roberts worst year was as nearly as good or better than pirates position players that will likely be on the team in 2026.
As good as any 3rd OF that has more than a little MLB experience the Pirates have currently, fangraphs currently has that being Suwinski which is way more than questionable.
still probably not really worth it. Is that 1-2 fWAR increase worth the talent needed and salary cost worth it? I’d say no.
@Rsox
Lowe would be a nice addition if you are just looking a ’26
Pirates need to stop bullin and make some moves ! Go get Robert and Lowe
Easier said then done. Everyone wants to be avoid expensive free agents who aren’t interested in signing with their team.
Neither Robert or Lowe are free agents
Neither Judge or Ohtani are free agents
This guy isn’t making any MLB team better.
Not true. He’ll make the Pale Hose better when he’s gone!
I love all yall baseball experts. Yall always make me go the other way with yall Gold Scouting expertise. Im never disappointed all the GM’S, Scouts, Owners, etc. in here.
Hey Yall, is this Luis Roberts dad, Yall?
Luis’s dad, bitter Saint fan… or both yall?
Would not be surprised if this board was one of Rosenthal’s sources.
It’s true that the Padres expressed an interest in him so technically the article is accurate. But conveniently left out is that interest was a year ago. Since then Laureano and Sheets have fit in nicely.
Reinsdorf needs to allow Getz to absorb 10mil to get a second tier prospect…..likely a pitcher if the trade partner doesn’t have a near ready OF.
It’s real hard to see the fit on the padres but this is the second link to an outfielder in the last couple of days, Doyle a couple a days ago.
Just odd to see them still linked. The money is a lot but I’d assume the white Sox would pay that down.
The Padres also have sheets who they are fine with playing in LF if Laureano gets traded.
I just don’t see any situation where the Padres trade Merrill.
Untouchables on the 26:
1. Tatis
2. Merrill
3. Miller
Wow!
I all these years I thought Gwynning was untouchable.
Alas, I’m only on the 40. 🤪
yeah, to slightly revise:
1. Gwynning
2. Tati
3. Madness
4. Reaper
5. Cardiff tri-tip nachos
Y’all are too kind, now where do I send the Xmas presents? 🤪🍻🤙🏽
Just send cash to Preller so he can spend it. Not the Seidler bros I don’t trust them.
“Can I write check?” – Yao Ming
Post date it to 2034, if the dodgers can do that so can you.
all I want for xmas is my two front end SPs
Brew- all we need is one and a backend dude.
@Simm. I said want not need!
If we keep Pivetta, then I agree. And I know Cease, Yu and King gave us middling results last year that could be replaced cheaply.
I’m still big on Morejon or Hoeing for the 5 spot.
🤞🏼
Preller’s history would say no one is untouchable. He knows how to wheel and deal though.
For the Padres to take him, Sox would have to send $15 M as well and take back Yuki Matsui.
Why?
Let the white Sox eat Jung hoo Lee contract after giants pay it down and swap that 20m.
Go ahead and remove Pirates from the list. They are not actually trading for anyone or signing any free agents.
But hey it’s only December right? Still plenty of time to resign McCutchen and Pham
30th prospect and we take on all the money. Take it or leave it!
Something tells me the Bucs may get him…which would be a bad move.
They need to get Duran at least.
The Mets are not trading for a $20 mil IL candidate. Please just stop. Why trade for a guy who is perpetually injured? We have prospects who are going to get a chance in spring training. And if anyone would bother listening to David Stearns, he has told us that he is not bringing in players who will block our minor leaguers from getting up to the big club. If the Mets make a trade, it will be for pitching, not a position player who will need to be replaced at some point this season due to injury.
Mets don’t really have a CF. Benge stunk the joint up in his first crack at AAA (100 PA’s) last year and is more of a LF. They are trying to improve their defense. They will definitely bring in a high end defensive CF. Robert’s solid with the glove but there are better and cheaper available like Bader and Doyle.
Taylor is an exceptional defensive OF. He just can’t hit much better than a few points above his weight.
But he’s available for more than 100 games a year.
He is skinny too!
So your answer to not having a CFer is to trade for a guy who makes $20 mil this year, and is constantly injured. Do you understand that that means they will then need another CFer anyway? And be out another $20 mil. It makes no sense. Ho check his baseball reference page. He’s played more than 140 games in a season once. He’s played over 100 games twice. The writing is on the wall. He’s too big a risk, and he does us no good if he’s injured.
@seamaholic. The centerfielder market sucks so I’m guessing bellinger, Bader and Grisham will be overpays. Problem with Robert is the whitesox asking price is high. I guess thats where the checking in comes into play, probably leaving out the part about teams abruptly hanging up the phone.
That actually seems like exactly they type of player the Mets would trade for. Robert is a big flashy name that people recognize and would satisfy some of the critics. Jake Meyers is the guy they should be looking at. Not a big name but plays solid defense in CF, can steal some bags and doesn’t hurt you as a #9 hitter every day
He’s not a guy David Stearns would trade for. And if he is, Stearns should be fired for malpractice. Think about trading, or letting 3 beloved players go, only to sign a guy who winds up playing around 100 games for you, and next to no production because he’s spending too much time on the IL.If Stearns intends to serve his entire 5 year term, and hope for an extension, Luis Robert jr is exactly the type of player he should avoid.
I said “Mets” not “Stearns”. If Cohen wants him, Cohen will get him, doesn’t matter what Stearns wants
LMAO….Cohen doesn’t want him. Cohen, so far this off season, has been very quiet. He’s letting Stearns build the team. Stearns will sink, or swim on his own from here out.
Whatever happens for the Mets, Stearns has convinced Cohen of his plan and is letting him build his team. Otherwise there’s no way that Diaz, Alonso, and Nimmo play for someone else. He’s building it his way and probably has a lot more leash than y’all think.
I can’t fathom all the crap being thrown towards Luis Robert Jr. in this thread, especially in comparison to Harriso Bader, Trent Grisham and Ramón Laureano.
Robert Jr. is still 28, 3 years younger than Bader and Laureano. He’s also a year younger than Grisham. None have come close to putting up the season he posted as recently as 2023. Robert Jr. has accumulated 15.8 bWAR in the 577 games he’s managed to be healthy enough to play in, an average of 4.4 bWAR per season. He also posted a .393/.452/.500 triple slash in the 7 post-season games he played during his first two seasons when the White Sox were actually competitive.
At 28, I can easily envision Robert Jr. returning to his production from 2019-2023, especially with a contender who can offer him the lineup protection he has lacked in Chicago the past few years during their historically bad run with their latest rebuild. The Mets and Padres would certainly offer such protection with stars like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. entrenched in their batting order. Robert Jr. wouldn’t have to be the star on most any contender but he certainly has the talent to finally achieve the super-star promise he has held since the White Sox signed him out of Cuba back in 2017.
I believe Robert Jr. would be a gamble worth taking for any contender in need of a player with plus power, base running and defense at a premium position like CF. The gamble would be based on his health. $20MM for 2026 and 2027 (club option) for a 28-year old player with his proven numbers and still high ceiling is not extreme based on his past production. It would be a bargain with a 4.4 “average” WAR season and downright cheap if he can manage to reproduce or exceed the 5.3 number he managed in 2023 with a 101 loss team.
@Aaron: Trying too hard. Underachiever who needs a reset with won now club: Next team offers decent prospect (1) and WSox pay half salary.
He left out Gavin Sheets. I’d rather have him as well.
You seem to be overlooking both 2024 and 2025. Your hindsight skips a bit.
You said it better than I could’ve, Thanks
The Sox have absolutely no reason to sell low on Robert… and if he continues his post all-star break performance, they have no reason to trade him at all.
what part of can’t stay healthy and can’t stay consistent are you forgetting?
His performance in the doctors office, and at the rehab facility are particularly good.
The only reason they didn’t trade him at the deadline and exercised his option is to buy time to sell high on him. If he continues playing at an all-star level, the White Sox can’t re-sign him long-term anyway. I agree with sticking with him to build value but they should 100% trade him if/when the opportunity arises.
They didn’t trade him at the deadline because he tweaked his hamstring a week, or 10 days before the deadline, and he wasn’t in the lineup. After the deadline, he wound up with a grade 2 hamstring strain which put him out the rest of the year. It had nothing to do with selling high. He’s an awful player because he’s never healthy. If he’s so good, get Cashman to trade for him. We don’t want him in Queens.
Pirates interested??
We’re better off reigniting O’Neil Cruz’s play getting another lame CF
Make no mistake, nobody is looking to give up anything of value for Robert. The white Sox will get a dart throw of a prospect to dump his salary. Teams are hoping his decline is tied more to playing on a dumpster fire of a team than his actual skill.
But he’s only 28, and should be highly motivated to produce in a contract year, especially if he gets out of Chicago. I think he’s a good gamble on a one year deal. If he busts? You take his solid defense in CF and move on after the year.
With Robert’s offense declining, perhaps Bader would be a better option for the Mets, who already demonstrated his defensive skills during his time in Queens.
He’s been otb for the past like 3 years. Long overdue for a fresh start
Why are so many team fascinated with this guy, he can’t hit
Can’t hit? Can’t stay healthy.
28 years old, competently plays a premium defensive position, mashes LHP, and is under a reasonable contract.
Injury risk and production risk.. but if he is healthy and in a good lineup, his tools could make him a completely different ballplayer.
The eternal optimist……platoon player who sucks from the right side and who cares about his defense when you’re getting a .224 outfielder who can;t stay healthy……the beware of White Sox players who have had nothing to play for so his production is questionable on a good team…..where he will be pushed….
If he has that much potential, why aren’t they keeping him in Chicago? If they were going to try to trade him, why did they pick up that option instead of just ridding themselves of the contract, and letting him walk?
Rocky – no doubt there is injury and production risk but there is definitely potential upside. He has had two bad seasons hut he is only 28. They guy had an .850 OPS two years ago and still swiped 30 bags last season.
I am not even saying a team will or should go out and get him now.. but it makes sense to kick the tires, especially with such a weak FA market for CF’ers.
Jdt – he isn’t getting traded now for salary relief. They will hang onto him for now unless they get something of value.. if they do not get an offer they like, he will continue to be their CF’er – at least until the deadline nears.
Right now, because they picked up his option, they don’t have a choice. But that was a stupid idea on their part.
Lol, lol, lol.
The nightmare scenario is that the WS don’t find a trade partner at the deadline but that he’s healthy enough to warrant picking up his option at year end and going through all of this again.
I see very little chance that Luis Robert jr will stay healthy enough to warrant picking up his final option. But this is the White Sox we’re talking about. I didn’t think they’d pick up this years option.
Speaking as a White Sox fan, they were really dumb to pick up that option. I wanted them to instead use that money on Grisham and a lefty reliever, but even with Grisham taking the QO, there are better uses for $20M. They might have been able to offer him a one-year make-good at $10M, with the same option. Then they wouldn’t have to eat so much money to move him. Or if he signs elsewhere, just get a warm body there. Their goal next year should be 70 wins, so it’s not exactly a playoffs year.
Maybe I’m wrong about him and he comes back like it’s 2023, but that’s looking increasingly like an outlier in a ‘what-could-have-been’ career.
Even then, the OF free agents nor named Grisham or Bellinger are very thin.
Grisham? Really? W.Sox rightfield is not as little-leaguish as 300 foot rightfield at Yankee Stadium
$20M for a guy who’s primarily playable on the short side of a platoon??
Even when healthy he is the most overrated player in the league.
You a scout?
Don’t need to be a scout to see that, clown.
W. Sox don’t know how to develop players.
Position players. They’re actually fairly good at developing rotation pieces.
Ask Mr. Vaughn.
Phillies acquire:
– Luis Robert CF (1/$20M) (‘27&’28 PO)
– Kyle Teel C (control thru ‘30)
– Jordan Leasure RHP (control thru ‘30)
White Sox acquire:
– Taijuan Walker RHP (1/$18M)
– Johan Rojas CF
– Rafael Marchan C
– Keaton Anthony 1B (#15)
– Aroon Escobar 2B (#5)
5 for 3 deal with both teams filling multiple needs. White Sox get the mid level SP they’re looking for, and a couple of 25 year old inexpensive, long term replacements in CF & C to replace Robert & Teel. 2 top 15 prospects, could potentially hold down the right side of their INF for years. They also get out from the uncertainty of the 2 player options Robert holds over them, and shed a few mil of salary this year and next, to make other roster additions. Phillies are taking a gamble that Robert rebounds. A .250/.333/.480 type of projection is not unreasonable – considering Robert was in the 99th percentile in pitches seen, that were outside of the strike zone in 2025. He should be able to provide positive run prevention numbers again, playing most of his games within the friendly confines of CBP. Justin Crawford can cover LF, and play CF when they want to get Robert an occasional day off vs. certain RHP’s. Kyle Teel has a chance to be one of the most productive catchers in baseball over the next 5-10 years. He has a good feel for the strike zone, pitch recognition and hits the ball hard. With Harry Ford off the board, Teel is the best young catcher available on the trade market right now. A risk for both clubs, certainly worth taking. DD & Co. should stay clear of Cody Bellinger, and try not to overpay for Kyle Tucker. 7/$210M would be the max for me. At this point, they might as well try to attach Castellanos to Andrew Painter (#1) – and simultaneously fill 2 or 3 needs with him. Buxton/Joe Ryan. Meyers/Abreu. Arozarena/Kirby. There’s ways to do it.
The problem with that scenario is sending Walker to Chicago to offset salary. If the White Sox are trading with the Pirates they expect to eat salary, if they trading with the Phillies they expect the Phillies to eat salary. The only salary swap i could see between the White Sox/Phillies would be Robert for Castellanos and i don’t think Jerry is senile enough to let Getz make that deal
So funny of a deal. Teel & Leadure not going anywhere for foreseeable future.
Teel is heart of the rebuild. Save your silly amateurish trade proposals for a stooge in teenager fantasy league.
The White Sox wouldn’t do this deal.
Why in the blue hell would the White Sox trade a young, pre-arb offensively powerful catcher, a building block of the team, to get much lesser prospects back? And not even save money?? A move like that should literally be vetoed because it would show a team really has no intention of wanting to put a good club on the field. No way this would even be possible. Sorry.
That would be like the Nats trading James Wood for Chadler SImpson.
It’s such a bad proposal Chandler Simpson changed his name…
Walker is a serviceable #4 starter and has positive trade value. Robert has negative trade value. That would not work for the Phillies if you are including him just to make the salaries closer. .
WS could have solved this problem by DFA ing Robert.
Now, if they can trade Robert, the WS will have to pay millions of Robert’s contract just to get 1 or 2 mid to lower level prospects?!
Not a cost effective way to do business.
OF free agent class is thin btw. Which is a justifiable reason to pick up LRJ’s option.
Not sure why folks always seem to want Robert. He is a six year player that has only played more than 110 games twice.
I’m going to put money on Robert being the 2026 comeback player of the year. Haters rarely have the guts to bet on anything.
Pirates would be fun and go ahead and sign Adolis as well and Pittsburgh might hit lightning in a bottle. Unlikely but you gotta try.
It’s a one year, $20 million contract at this point. I don’t get it with Robert either but a team like the Phillies, with other CF options in Crawford, Marsh and even Rojas, may see a one-year commitment as better than three years of Bader.
I think Bader is gonna have a tough time getting 3 years from any team
Probably the best center fielder left. 3 years, $45 million
His 2023 season was insanely good. That’s the upside people see. It’s tough to judge because he’s been on a bad team.
Robert is the classic case of living off one great year.
Guy can’t stay healthy and really has been mostly terrible when he does play
I really don’t understand the fascination with trying to trade for him
I wouldn’t be inclined to give up any talent in return for him, especially if assuming that contract
Why would Pittsburgh surrender prospects for a one year rental? Friars are trimming payroll. This is Mets style. Outside chance he goes to Philly. Going to cost the 20m plus a prospect. Can’t see the White Sox eating anything after picking up the option but might take a small salary fringe player back along with a prospect.
One of these things is not like the other.
I’d be real disappointed if the Pirates spend money finally and it’s on a bum like Roberts! Let the Mets have him!
I think robert would do well in philly, being in a more competitive, professional situation. The question is whether he can stay healthy.
overrated
/ˌōvə(r)ˈrādəd/
adjective
adjective: overrated; adjective: over-rated, rated or valued too highly.
see: Luis Robert Jr.
I’m a Phillies fan and I hope someone else gets him. He’s a step down hill from even their backups.
Angels need to get in there and at least make an offer!
Why would anyone want Robert?
The Mets offer at the trade deadline was the Cedric Mullins package (nothing) and Robert didn’t do anything to improve his value so I doubt they have sincere interest right now
Fan Phillies’ trade proposals: Why trade for someone who is NOT a contact hitter. We don’t need power we need players to get on base. – The End!
The White Sox exercised his 20 million dollar option, and would probably have to pick up part of that to be able to trade him for prospects worth about 50 bucks. The dumbest team in pro sports.
I mean what team would give him a 1 year for 20 million even if he were a free agent? The only time he played with any fire in the past 2 years, when he was even healthy, was in 2025 2 weeks prior to Aug 1 in his “get me the hell out of here” farewell audition.
Start with LRJ and toss out Casty name and then shift to Benintendi and some cash for next season and close the deal.
If Robert were a FA, what would be his value on the market? Many people have talked about that including in the chats here. A 1 year deal at $5-6 million plus incentives based on playing time is what most of them have concluded. His salary this year is $20 million.
Because his value is so low, the White Sox would have to include additional value, meaning prospects or money, to make the deal worth it for another team. Even then they won’t get more than a marginal prospect or two in return. Maybe a decent player on a bad contract.
If a prospect it would have to be someone that grades out a 50 or higher. If they are willing to do that, they should add a couple of prospects and try to get a good major league player with several years of team control in return.
If they are adding money, it will have to be at least close the $15 million difference between Robert’s FA value and his 2026 salary. Maybe half his salary and a mid level prospect. Adams or Paez?
Did the Phillies trade for Robert when all they have to do is sign Harrison Bader, and then not give away a prospect. It’ll tell you all you need to know about how the game of baseball has passed Dave Dombrowski by.
I keep thinking Robert is Superman but he’s more Clark Kent.
He’s not even Jimmy Olson
If someone gets injured all the time playing CF
you move him to LF.
Once he leaves the White Sox, he’ll become a star. You know how it works.
If someone has already mentioned this apologies for not having read every post.
Knowing Trent Grisham thought taking the QO at 22 mil was his best play as a free agent, I have to consider CW picking up the option at 20 mil on LR a very bad idea.
His free agent value on a 1 year prove it deal would be well less than 10 mil.
It would tan a huge paydown or additional prospects just to dump him at this point.
Chicago can’t remotely be thinking of getting a player of value back or even a prospect of value.
It’s either a salary dump by using a prospect or a severe paydown to save maybe 5 mil.
How is this possible? Why would you pay money or a prospect for a 1 WAR CFer when you have Benge ready to roll and Taylor as your 5th OFer for $3.8 million?
Steans can’t possibly be thinking of LRJ as his CFer, pushing Benge to LF, can he?