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Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is coming off of a breakout 2023 campaign, winning the Silver Slugger award after mashing 38 homers and 80 RBI. This season has been less fruitful for Robert, though, and there appears to be another twist in the tale.
Robert is rumored to be on the trade block, via the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
Will Luis Robert be on the move this deadline? 🤔
(w/ @JonHeyman) pic.twitter.com/kITeGfx8yv
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 5, 2024
“Luis Robert is being talked about prominently in trades,” Heyman said Wednesday. “There are a lot of teams looking at the outfield. He's got two years to go on top of this year, about $63 million to go, assuming those team options are picked up.”
With the White Sox owning the league's worst record at 15-46, it would make sense to sell the former All-Star to a contender, especially on such a trade-able contract.
“Personally, I think Luis Robert is a great player,” Heyman continued. “That sounds like a major bargain to me. I'm hearing from some potential buyers that are pointing to his injury history…but I do think this guy is a big star, and I think the White Sox could make hay…will he be traded? No guarantees, but he's definitely out there, there is no question.”
Robert returned to the lineup Tuesday after being out since April 6th with a right hip flexor strain. The fifth-year veteran has only played 100 games in a season once (COVID-shortened 2020 season notwithstanding), but he assured that he's now fully past his ailments, via ESPN.
“I'm gaining the confidence again,” Robert said through a translator. “It's step by step. I think playing every day, it's going to be better for me, that confidence back. I don't think it's going to be a major issue now.”
Will Robert be sent to a winning team, or will he stay stuck with a dumpster fire?
It's in the White Sox's best interest to let Robert go
It would be one thing if Chicago were anywhere close to contending. However, the club is in such disarray that it's not worth keeping him two more years and risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
Robert would fit well on a team that's contending but could use an extra push to strengthen their championship prospects. The Philadelphia Phillies or Baltimore Orioles. The White Sox are reportedly looking to fetch Double-A and/or Triple-A prospects, via SoxMachine.com's James Fegan.
With that being said, it won't be cheap for Chicago to get cornerstone, top-25-level prospects. To acquire elite farm system talent, it'll have to give up Robert, Tommy Pham, and most of its other veterans.
As for now, Robert will look to improve on his current numbers. The 26-year-old is slashing just .250/.273/.594 with three homers and five RBI across eight games played thus far.
White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said that the team will be cautious with Robert as he gets back in his rhythm.
“Robert is here to play, obviously, but he's not going to be playing every single day,” Grifol said. “He's going to take some breaks. He's going to DH some. He's going to have to have his day off as well.”
Chicago's front office has until the July 3oth trade deadline to orchestrate a mid-season deal.
