The Chicago White Sox are definitely considering a Luis Robert deal this summer given their dismal 2024 campaign. It’s important to remember that Robert may be able to stay in Chicago through the 2027 season according to team options.
He isn’t one of the White Sox’s most likely trade targets this summer because of this. However, this does not rule out the possibility of trading him.
Is Luis Robert a Tradeable Asset for the White Sox?
With almost a month remaining until the trade deadline, Robert has drawn attention from multiple teams. That is one of the factors driving the White Sox to decide. If the White Sox decide to make him available, he’ll also be among the more desirable trade deadline prospects in baseball.
Let’s examine Chicago’s situation from every perspective and decide whether or not to deal for Luis Robert.
The Circumstance
Luis Robert’s contract may extend through the 2027 campaign, as was previously announced. He will earn $15 million in 2025 in addition to his $12.5 million salary this season.
The White Sox hold club options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons following that. He would have made $20 million in each of those seasons if he were to workout. However, he would become a free agent after the 2025 season if the White Sox declined the 2026 option.
Motives for Trading Him
The White Sox’s lacklustre performance is the clear justification for trading Robert this summer. It will be difficult for the White Sox to turn things around next season given their current record. Chicago will be able to obtain a higher return in a trade for him if $20 million in 2026 and 2027 looks excessive. He won’t be a rental player, so now is the right moment to deal him.
Robert has shown he has plenty of bat power despite some inconsistent results this year following nearly two months on the IL.
The White Sox may get interest in the trade market if they made him available, given he was an all-star last season and a previous Gold Glove winner. That might speed up the team’s rebuilding process and enable Chicago to recoup some excellent prospects in exchange for him.
Motives for Keeping Him
Robert is under team control through the 2027 campaign, so the White Sox will need to think about keeping him. Robert might be worth keeping if Chicago can return to being competitive by 2026, even if this year and the following year are lost seasons.
The 26-year-old is the kind of player the White Sox might base their future around, having just finished an all-star and Silver Slugger-winning season.
Considering some of the deals that elite athletes are obtaining on the free agent scene, giving Robert $20 million a year in 2026 and 2027 isn’t all that extravagant. If the White Sox move him now, they also run the danger of not receiving their full asking price.
Due to an injury that kept him out for two months earlier this year, Robert hasn’t had time to get back into the swing of things and play to his full potential.
He could have a better trade value this winter than he does now if he has a successful second half. A team that traded for Robert would be essentially signing a free agent to a three-year, $55 million contract—a steal if Robert can play at an all-star level.
The Decision
In all honesty, the White Sox should move Robert right away if they receive a strong offer. The White Sox won’t really be able to compete for the postseason for at least two or three more years because of their mediocre farm system. To support the farming system and hasten the rebuilding process, that entails exchanging Robert.
Thankfully, if Robert doesn’t play well between now and the trade deadline, the White Sox can wait until the winter to trade him. They are not need to coerce themselves into accepting a drab trading offer. But the White Sox ought to be open to considering any trade proposals for Robert.
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