Last offseason, the Reds were among the teams linked to Luis Robert Jr. in trade conversations. The White Sox surprisingly held onto their center fielder both last winter and beyond the trade deadline. They’ve been content to keep him into 2026 but aren’t closed off to talks.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer each report that the Reds have resumed discussions with the Sox. Nightengale also lists the Mets as a possibility. Robert has been more loosely tied to Pittsburgh, San Diego and Philadelphia at points throughout the offseason.
The Reds have yet to upgrade a lineup that ranked 14th in scoring despite playing half its games at Great American Ball Park. Their park-adjusted offense was eight percentage points below league average. That tied them with the Angels and Rangers for fifth-worst in MLB. Cincinnati made a run at Kyle Schwarber but reportedly viewed the Ohio native as a unique free agent. There’s no indication they’re going to reallocate the $25MM annual salary that they offered Schwarber elsewhere on the free agent market.
Robert will make $20MM next season. Wittenmyer writes that the White Sox may be willing to eat roughly half that salary to facilitate a trade. There’s a matching club option for the 2027 campaign. Chicago’s seeming willingness to pay down part of the contract would be conditional on getting a package of controllable talent that they like. Robert isn’t a pure salary dump. If the Sox had viewed him as a negative value asset, they would have bought him out for $2MM at the beginning of the winter.
Cincinnati has a quality center fielder in TJ Friedl. They don’t have an everyday option in left, where Friedl’s below-average arm strength would be less of a concern. Robert would certainly upgrade the outfield defense, though it’s less clear whether he’s a consistent enough hitter to be Cincinnati’s marquee offseason pickup. He has been a well below-average hitter since his 38-homer campaign two years ago. Robert owns a .223/.288/.372 batting line with a near-30% strikeout rate in 856 plate appearances since the start of 2024. He looked like he was turning a corner in the second half of ’25 but suffered a season-ending hamstring strain in August.
The Mets have a clearer need in center field. Tyrone Taylor projects as the starter despite hitting .223/.279/.319 across 341 plate appearances this past season. Top prospect Carson Benge is looming but struggled in his first 24 Triple-A contests after raking up through Double-A. He’s likely to begin the year in the minors. Left field is wide open following the Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil trades.
New York is virtually certain to add an outfielder. Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic write that they’re looking to add a right-handed bat somewhere in the lineup. Robert qualifies and is coming off a strong season against left-handed pitching. He was terrible against southpaws in 2024 but raked against them in every other season and has a lifetime .293/.367/.505 slash with the platoon advantage.
Wittenmyer has zero good sources, so take this “report” with a shaker of salt.
He does have a history in Chicago, albeit on the Cubs beat instead of the White Sox.
He can still troll the Cubs, albeit from a rival perch than inside the clubhouse
Respectfully disagree
metzfan the story came out yesterday
Lloyd Emerson has read and responded to this comment.
Gwynning has smirked and enjoyed Lloyd’s statement.
horaceallen continues to enjoy the responses to metzfan.
Third persons so that’s what we’re doing
You’re a White Sox fan, so I’ll forgive you for being a little slow.
Per AIbot: Referring to oneself in the third person is called illeism, a practice that convey confidence, create distance for objective thinking, or signal narcissism/eccentricity, often seen in athletes, politicians (like “the rock”), or for stylistic effect in literature.
Why people do it
• Psychological benefit: Creates emotional distance, helping with self-control, reducing stress, and fostering calmer, more rational thought, especially for those with anxiety.
• Persona & Performance: Builds a larger- than-life public image (The Rock, Hercule Poirot).
• Confidence & Authority: Projects self- assurance or authority (Julius Caesar, LeBron)
• Stylistic Device: Used in writing or speech for dramatic effect or to sound more formal objective (academic writing, some literature).
• Childhood Development: Young children often use their own name as they learn language.
• In public figures: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (“Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?”), Donald Trump, LeBron James (LeBron James has to do what LeBron James has to do)
Well at least we know you know to ask ChatGPT a question
Hey Siri, what do Philly, Santa, booing and snowballs have in common?
I should have checked with ChatGPT to make my picks for the free agent contest.
Remus has paid! Remus has kept receipts!
The question that needs to be asked is why? He’s not cheap, And he’s not good and Jar-eee isn’t retaining any money, So this seems like a non starter to me. Not sure how this is even a thing! LOL
Once good, maybe good again, already have him in house, fans and clubhouse like him, the Lou Bob Hr-Eloy twin bobblehead is hilario what’s not to like Kris Krinkle?
Robert is a tough guy to figure out.
Feels like the Sox want a lot for him still.
I don’t think so. Not much of a market for him
@spudchukar
Not if you’re a pitcher.
He still mashes lefties, but a righty with a good slider can get him out pretty easily.
He must not be facing many lefties, what with a .225 avg and a .660 OPS.
Robert had 113 PA against lefties, 318 PA against righties. The league split overall for right-handed batters was 67,867 PA against righties and 34,500 PA against lefties.
By percentage, 26.2% of Robert’s PA were against lefties, compared to a league-wide split of 33.7%.
Basically, you’re right; he did not face many lefties when compared to other right-handed batters.
Hopefully they trade less for him than Gavin Lux
Might just depend on the cash involved? Pay more to send less… but the Sox might want to foot some bill lest they dip into Grievance territory?
White Sox aren’t CBT recipients so they can run their payroll as low as they want.
Thanx Wade!
And the Sox do spend when the time is right. Just not always wisely.
Player’s Union can still point at them when they bring up a payroll floor.
White Sox bottomed out last year but were 18th in payroll as recently as 2024. Makes sense not to spend when you’re auditioning kids as part of a total rebuild. 2023- 15th. 2022- 7th. So not the issue of payroll floor. More the unwillingness to go for the jugular and commit to a top 5 payroll when the window is open. Kinda like what the Cubs are going through now with Ricketts and his aversion to “biblical losses”. Unlike say chronic bottom feeders like the Guardians, Os, Rays, As and Pirates.
Their highest guaranteed contract in franchise history is the 5/$75 they gave to Benintendi.
When they “spend,” it’s on high-leverage relievers, catchers, or trade acquisitions in the last year or two of their contracts. Spending REAL money on REAL talent is never part of the equation.
Just a different way of doing business, they dont believe in paying for past performance for vets in their late 20s early 30s. They have invested considerable sums in locking up core players by reaching mutually beneficial deals buying out arbitration and option years for financial security. Sox were pioneers in doing that, generating substantial trade value surplus in the likes of Sale and Eaton, netting them trade value downstream.
So technically you’re right that the $75M is a high for recycled vet on the street. But on a per annum basis shelled out $20 mill + for likes of Yoyo, Eloy, and Robert.
Spending Real Money on Real Talent is part of the equation, just backasswards (decided not to all cap it). It’s investing on players that want to bet on themselves instead of going all in on already established top of market guys.
This approach can backfire if players get hurt early and often, as it did with their core of TA, Moncada, Eloy and Robert. If all 4 kept producing through their prime years youd be looking at an affordable core. But this approach succeeded spectacularly with Sale, Eaton, Quintana and Crochet. Recall that Robert was guaranteed the big contract before he even had a major league AB. Agree they failed in not securing Bryce or Manny to put them over the top when their window was open (they tried with Zach W but he chose less $ to go home).
If you want to attack a team for being short sighted cheap, may want to look at teams that string young prospects along by playing the service time game, a la Cubs and Kris Bryant.
I hope this is not true. Overpaid, injury prone, and while his 2023 season showed some promise, he isn’t that homerun or rbi guy the Reds desperately need.
Exactly. Sounds like grasping at straws as usual. Getting someone actually competent is not in his DNA it seems.
It is front office incompetence they are even considering Robert. He has a huge contract and hasn’t produced at all except for the one year.. I guess the front office has forgotten about the awful deals with Moose and the last guy they are paying a huge sum to do nothing.. Incompetence needs to be protected from itself. Huge sums to players to not produce is a killer for small market teams like the Reds. It appears they never learn.
Alan, I am not necessairly a fan of this trade, but it is one year (2027 option) and the Sox will pay as much as 10 million of his 20 million deal So it is not in the same Status as the Moose deal.
If he doesn’t perform (expected) , he stands in the way of someone else getting a shot. It is a waste on time and resources in my opinion.. I would rather go with one of Rodriguez, Hinds, CES or Dunn. Hopefully, one of them will pan out if given a decent chance.
Who is then ? I say go for it. Doubt it costs much at this point. Prob one guy we cringe over vs the 3/4 they were gonna give up 2 years ago
Only way I’m ok with this is if it’s him and someone else. If this is the hat you are hanging a long term rebuild on… no thank you. If it’s him and the Reds go and get someone else that’s a legit contributor in the lineup I’d be intrigued.
What if they took on benintendi ? Not the power they are looking for but he’s solid and a Cincinnati native
Maybe but not sure if he is better than what we already have and if I remember he has a pretty big contract for his production I believe?
When most fans look at a player I don’t think they care where he is from. Does he make us better? It doesn’t hurt anything if he’s from the area but it’s meaningless in the batter’s box.
I understand you Goetta however the reason the Reds are going after Roberts is because they always have to shop in the bargain bin because they are cheap and or poor. Management and us Reds fans would love to go and get a legit contributor i.e. Schwarber (he is an outlier of course) but alas it never happens. We made a mistake, although unforeseen with signing Canderlario and we are paying 14-16M dead money this year as we released him. That’s huge for a team like the Reds. If they can get Roberts for 10-12m this year and not have to overpay in prospects as WS GM has been asking in prior years then i make that trade if I am the Reds. However if he is traded my money is on the Mets. They can pay his full salary and give prospects with hardly a blip on their teams payroll. Not so for my wobegon team, the Reds.
@redsorbust… completely agree we are always looking for a bargain and don’t have payroll flexibility (Bob is broke if you haven’t heard. Haha). My thought is if you add Robert and a guy like Ryan O’Hearn then I can go into the season with hopes we can score some runs. If it’s just Robert… heck he might only play 40 games.
I couldn’t believe how much he’s been hurt over the last 5 years when I checked his page.
Like Buxton yet ceiling is mvp candidate
I’m hoping it’s a nobody from the Mets and they take on that 20 million.
Mr Reinsdorf?
Robert seems like the kind of guy who will turn into a huge slugger if he relocates.
Lengthy injury history though. I was surprised how much time he’s missed never the last 5 years.
Let the Mets have him, he’s washed up.
I really doubt he gets traded. This is just good old Bobby Nightingale speculation.
Can we please stop with this LRJ garbage? Who is going to take a $20 mil IL stint? The guy has played over 100 games twice in his career, and has an injury list longer than Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak. He didn’t get traded last season because he tweaked his hamstring just before the deadline, and then killed his season with a hamstring injury in August. The White Sox were stupid enough to pick up that option, let them live with it.
nbcchicago.com/news/sports/mlb/chicago-white-sox/a…
After saving 10mil on McNeil, could see this roll of the dice by Mets (half pay is also 10mil) finally happening. WSox will accept a decent 2nd tier pitching prospect as main return + filler as best they can get. It would be somewhat of a yawn.
Keep in mind Reinsdorf is probably stunned Murakami accepted the 17mil AAV for next 2yrs and now has urgency to plead to Getz to shed 10mil of LRJ salary for whatever so called best so so pitching prospect he can get.
Mets break even on the switch out of vets and move on to big $ FA signing.
But look at it from the Mets perspective, it’s a loss of prospects, and 10 mil that will turn to 21mil if they go over the threshold, which they will, for a player who is going to wind up injured, and is uninsurable for the injuries he’s already had. It makes no sense for the Mets when you look at all the particulars of any deal for LRJ. I wish he was a healthy, thriving player, because then I’d trade for him, and give you something of worth back. We’ve needed a CFer for a while. But he’s not the guy.
All you really needed to say: “But he’s not the guy.”
No. That doesn’t explain my position. If we’re having a conversation, we make clear our position, and talk about it.
It likely won’t cost the entire $20 million. It likely will be around $13-14 million, maybe even $10 million.
They had interest a year and a half ago and offered nothing. Since Luis has gotten worse and Cincy hasn’t gotten more desperate, I doubt anything happens.
Change of scenery w Uncle Ter! A real leader and Clubhouse.
He can very well have an MVP Type Year.
That Ballpark is a launching Pad!
I want to see this!
I have been watching Luis Robert on a daily basis since his career started on the south side. At times he has been the best centerfielder in the league. It’s difficult watching him at times because you know he has the potential to be great. If someone told me he was traded and won the MVP next year I would not be surprised. He can be that good. Problem with Robert is he is not motivated. He truly has all the talent in the world. If another team grabs him, and finds a way to motivate him watch out.
His motivation is the 2027 option….
That’s 20MM good reasons!
Didn’t he have the motivation of a 2026 option last year? Didn’t work then. Why would you expect the next one to work? Seems more like he wants to see.the option declined so he can become a free agent.
His problem isn’t motivation. His problem is health.
Yeah what Jdt said, hes charismatic and well liked in the clubhouse. So naturally athletically gifted that he cruises and catches up to flies others wouldn’t touch. Not the phony grindiness of an Adam Eaton or the late break – dramatic hot dog leap of a Jim Edmonds. Advanced fielding metrics show this. Just can’t stay healthy.
nbcchicago.com/news/sports/mlb/chicago-white-sox/a…
I could see him having a big power year in their ballpark.
They seem like a good trade candidate for Luis Matos
After the success that Vaughn and Sheets had after leaving the Sox, it would be a mistake not to give Robert a chance to straighten things out with a new hitting coach and a lot more protection in the lineup.
Do it Phillies, you’ll have a legit RH bat to compliment Marsh/Crawford – super 4th OF’er, starts 2 of 3, in a series – lurking on the bench to PH late vs. high leverage lefty in the game he doesn’t start. Trade them some useful young and inexpensive guys from the big league roster – with a package of prospects not named Miller, Crawford or Painter – and get Kyle Teel in the deal.
AC Surf Baseball 609: I read on a Phillies site that after trading Mick Abel last year, they don’t have any more decent pitching in the farm system other than Painter. And you’re dreaming or on serious drugs if you think they’re getting Teel.
The following is from TBOH:
The Philadelphia Phillies have been looking to improve their outfield during the offseason. They looked to the free agent market and agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with Adolis García on Dec. 15. The 32-year-old will be their starting right fielder next year.
However, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski tried to acquire a center fielder before the García signing. There were discussions about the club acquiring an outfielder, such as the Colorado Rockies’ Brenton Doyle, Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, or the Houston Astros’ Jake Meyers.
Unfortunately, Philadelphia lacks a key position in its prospect system that prevented any trade from transpiring.
Phillies’ lack of quality pitching prospects hurt them in trade talks
According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb , the Phillies tried to make deals but didn’t have enough young pitching to offer the selling clubs (subscription required).
“[The Phillies] poked around on potential trades for center fielders, including Brenton Doyle, Jake Meyers and Luis Robert Jr., according to league sources,” per Gelb. “But the Phillies do not have young pitching to trade. That diminished their hand. After years of depleting the farm system, they preferred to deal from their big-league roster. That has complicated some trade talks.”
The only young pitcher the Phillies possess who is near the majors and that has interested clubs is top prospect Andrew Painter. Dombrowski has said over the last few years that he will not trade the young right-hander.
The Phillies included right-hander Mick Abel, along with prospect catcher Eduardo Tait, in the trade with the Minnesota Twins for reliever Jhoan Duran at this year’s deadline. If they had re-signed Carlos Estévez or Jeff Hoffman last winter and if Jordan Romano had pitched better for them this season, Philadelphia may not have needed to trade for another closer, such as Duran.
While Painter is projected to be better, the 24-year-old Abel was also one of the Phillies’ top five MLB Pipeline prospects. Abel received recognition this season, being named the International League Pitcher of the Year.
They’re probably looking for a comp pick. If Robert rebuilds his value during the year they might be able to trade him for one while paying down some salary and get that pick for this upcoming loaded draft
Reds fans: Please, God, more offense!!
Also Reds “fans”: Please, God, not a guy capable of 30 HR’s 30 SB’s!!!
Same Reds fans who fall over themselves, begging for Byron Buxton
At least Buxton produces when he plays. What exactly has Roberts done the last two years that leads you to believe he is still capable. No Reds fan is saying “Please, God, not a guy capable of 30 HRs 30 SBs!!!”. They are just knowledgeable enough to realize Roberts does not meet that description. It seems more like Dbird777: Please, God, give us a guy who can’t hit RH pitching and will spend 50 days on the IL, while displaying attitude because he’s not treated as a superstar.
Us Reds fans first prayer is Please God find us an new ownership that has at least enough money to pay at least a mid level competitive team salary.
Given the reality however of our ownership I as a Red fan want this deal to go through but the wild card here is how crazy is the WS GM with his ask for a return. Last year his ask was certifiable! This year I am hoping he has taken his meds and will take a fair and reasonable offer, then I think the Reds will do this.
Ok, so if the Sox pay half of his salary, what kind of return would the Reds be willing to part with?
What we could stomach, if you want controllable pitching, is Aguiar or Williamson, plus one of Collier/Arroyo. Maybe a low-level pitching prospect, as well.
Both pitchers are coming off TJ, but should be healthy, and have had some decent experience in the majors
I hope they don’t trade Collier or Williamson as both have shown promise. Trading them for more of a sure thing would be okay but not for a rental you hope can bounce back
Reds aren’t trading any of those guys for a broken down one year has been.
@Redsforlife: The price is basically going to be paying half the salary ($10mil), which is dirt cheap these days for anyone and a decent 2nd tier starting pitcher prospect as only thing noteworthy. If Cincy can’t swing that for 1yr-they’ll continue getting scraps with limited upside. The CF market is bad and if LRJ was a pretty sure thing he’d cost way more to acquire.
Aguiar maybe. But Collier or Arroyo, I would see them traded, but only for a real impact guy that would stay on the field for 150+ games.
No way we trade Collier or Arroyo for a 1 year risky rental. I’m thinking Chase Petty and a rookie ball prospect and the Sox eat $10 mil.
Hey Dbird777. IMHO that is a big overpay. Roberts contract and his injury risk make him so underwater in his value. If WS pay 10M then I can see the Reds giving him Williamson and Arroyo but that would be the max I would pay.
nbcchicago.com/news/sports/mlb/chicago-white-sox/a…
Please cheap reds owners , stay as far as you can from this robert guy. I prefer Hinds one hundred times
Hey wrich. IMHO Roberts is much better than Hinds. Hinds has never had nearly the ceiling that Roberts has shown in the bigs. I agree Reds would be taking a risk but if it’s just a one year contract at say 10-12M and lose a couple of mid level prospects I would go for it. If Robert plays really well then the 20M next year option might work out as well. CBA outcome pending of course.
He COULD be much better but his numbers are not impressive, maybe injuries or whatever but the reds can really do better. I prefer andujar to be honest redsorbust
Everyone wants Robert Jr. for that one good year he had. He’s made of glass and can’t stay on the field.
If they sign him, I will feel bad for Reds fans because not only will Ben Cherrington have convinced your front office that Hayes won’t be perpetually injured but now the ChiSox FO will have convinced them of the same for Luis Roberts Jr.
Absurd. The Sox could not deal Robert either of the past two trade deadlines, or last offseason. He has only played over 110 games once in his career, and hasn’t posted a WAR over 2 since 2023. They picked up his option for 20 million, like 3-4 times what he has been worth the past 2 years. No team would pay him anything close to that on the open market. So the Sox would have to pay to trade him, and at best would get back lower tier prospects not worth even a tiny fraction of his salary or what they would have to pay some team to take him.
All they do is waste money, even in years when they can’t possibly compete (which is every year, pretty much). And if they ever do get a decent core of players, the best guy Reinsdorf will pony up money for is someone marginally better than mediocre at best like Benintendi or Grandal, the two biggest free agent contracts he’s ever given out. Reinsdorf. Is. The. WORST.
Jett Williams is better than benge. But Jett Williams wasn’t drafted by David Stearns and therefore Stearns could care less about him. Stearns is a petty, ego driven loser.
I want to disagree, but he has really led a confusing and frustrating off-season for the Mets. I hope he doesn’t have that Sandy Alderson “I want to prove I’m smarter than everyone else, no matter what.” Sandy had payroll restrictions, while Stearns doesn’t, but acts like he runs a small to mid-market team.
Adding Robert would improve most team’s fortunes. I’m all on board for the Reds acquiring him so long as we don’t trade away any starting pitchers.
They will have to trade SP. SP are the reds strength and SP is what WS are looking for so I guess you will be unhappy if/when the Reds trade for him.
Robert would thrive in such a small ballpark as Great American. But what is the other side of the deal for the White Sox? What do the Reds have that the Sox need? Same question for the Mets.
A small ballpark doesn’t make bad hitters great. Look at the entire Reds offense. Not good.
I predict the 2026 White Sox will have Robert Jr on opening day and will bat third or fifth. Getz still think Robert can come .They need another power . Just like Dick Allen / Richie Zisk / Bill Melton of the 1970’s That’s just m opinion of a W. Sox fan of 71 years
I for one, admire your dedication.
Trying to figure out why the Reds would want him. Actually, why would anyone want him? Always injured, underperforming and WAY overpaid.
Robert will be a red tonight I bet
Angels!!! You desperately need a CF!! Let’s go Perry!!!
Even in Robert’s 2024 and 2025 seasons, he’s still better than everyone else on the Reds not named de la Cruz. So I say go for it. We might get the 2023 Robert back, and if not, all Reds did was overpay.