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The Chicago White Sox have reportedly dangled outfielder Luis Robert Jr. as a trade chip for the last year or so, but no deal has come to fruition to this point.
Robert has struggled over the last year, so his value is a bit lower than the White Sox would want it to be before trading him. Still, he’s expected to be a trade candidate at the deadline again this season after surviving last deadline and the offseason in the Windy City.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently polled some MLB executives to get a better understanding of what to expect at the trade deadline. Bowden revealed some shocking expectations that surround Robert.
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“Several execs don’t think Robert will be traded at this year’s deadline, instead believing that the White Sox will wait until the offseason, hoping he plays better in August and September and regains his trade value,” Bowden wrote. “However, a few believe he’ll get traded anyway because of the low supply of power bats and outfielders at the deadline, along with teams understanding what a change of scenery could mean for him.
“He is making $15 million this year and has $20 million team options for 2026 and 2027. Robert’s career-highs include 38 home runs in 2023 and 23 stolen bases in 2024. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2020. He hasn’t had any lineup protection over the last couple of years, and some teams question his desire and mental toughness.”
Robert’s potential makes him an intriguing trade candidate. While waiting for the offseason could make sense in a lot of cases, the White Sox might be better off cutting ties with Robert before his value drops even further.
His controllability makes him more valuable than a rental option, but the longer the White Sox wait, the less team control Robert has left on his deal.
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