After years of teetering on the edge of a full rebuild, the Chicago White Sox have finally slammed the reset button. And when a franchise commits to tearing it down, that usually means one thing: the big names start hitting the trade block. According to a December report from MLB Trade Rumors, rival executives now believe Chicago is seriously considering moving Luis Robert Jr. - a player who, not long ago, felt untouchable.
Robert’s name being floated in trade talks is a seismic shift. He’s long been viewed as one of the few cornerstone talents on the South Side - a player with elite tools, Gold Glove-caliber defense in center, and thunder in his bat.
But there’s always been a bit of a “yeah, but” attached to his profile: streaky production, durability concerns, and stretches where his impact doesn’t quite match the raw talent. Still, when he’s locked in, Robert looks like a franchise player.
And now, with Chicago clearly signaling a rebuild, contenders are circling.
The Yankees and Red Sox are reportedly among the teams monitoring the situation closely, and the timing couldn’t be better for clubs looking to make a splash. New York, in particular, makes a lot of sense.
The Yankees quietly struggled against left-handed pitching in 2025 - a problem Robert could help solve immediately. He’s historically crushed lefties, and his glove would instantly make him the best defensive center fielder on the roster.
There’s also this: the Yankees have the prospect depth to make a deal happen. Their farm system is loaded with intriguing arms - names like Elmer Rodriguez, Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham, and Carlos Lagrange have all drawn interest - and that gives GM Brian Cashman some serious leverage. A move for Robert could allow the Yankees to pivot away from re-signing Cody Bellinger and instead focus their resources on other big-ticket targets like Kyle Tucker or even Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai.
But the Yankees aren’t alone in the chase. The Mets are lurking, and while they’re reportedly looking to move off a few of their own sluggers, they remain a team with the financial muscle and urgency to get involved. The Reds are doing their homework, too, and according to league sources, the market for Robert is heating up fast.
Don’t overlook the Pirates, either. Yes, Pittsburgh is still in the thick of a rebuild of their own, but according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, they’re at least exploring the idea of adding Robert. On paper, it might seem like a strange fit - a high-risk move for a team still climbing the ladder - but there’s logic behind it.
First, if the White Sox are willing to eat a chunk of Robert’s $20 million salary, that makes the financial side more palatable for Pittsburgh. Second, Robert looked like a different player in the second half of 2025 after returning from a hamstring injury. The sample size was small, but the flashes were loud - elite contact, power-speed combo, and the kind of athleticism that can change a game on both sides of the ball.
And third, defense travels. Robert’s range and instincts in the outfield remain elite, and plugging him into PNC Park’s spacious left field could be a game-changer for a young Pirates pitching staff. It’s a gamble, no doubt - but it’s the kind of upside swing that could accelerate Pittsburgh’s timeline in a big way.
Meanwhile, back in Chicago, the message is clear: the White Sox are open for business. Luis Robert Jr. may not be the first domino to fall, but he’s the biggest. And as teams jockey for position in what’s shaping up to be a competitive trade market, one thing is certain - the race is officially on.