As MLB’s Winter Meetings approach, the stove is about to get hot - and one name that could be back on the burner is Luis Robert Jr.
According to league insiders, there’s growing belief that the White Sox center fielder could be on the move this offseason. ESPN’s Jeff Passan pegs the chances of a Robert trade at around 60 percent, and while that’s far from a sure thing, it’s a clear sign that the conversations are heating up again around one of the most toolsy outfielders in the game.
Robert’s been a fixture in trade rumors for the better part of two seasons now, and for good reason. When he’s healthy and locked in, he brings a rare blend of power, speed, and elite defense that few in the league can match.
Just two seasons ago, he put up a 4.9 WAR campaign, slugged 38 homers, swiped 20 bags, and earned an All-Star nod. That was supposed to be his breakout moment - the year the White Sox could capitalize on his sky-high value.
But baseball rarely follows a script.
Injuries and inconsistency derailed Robert’s 2024 season. He was limited to just 100 games and posted the lowest OPS of his career.
That dip in production cooled the market, and the White Sox, unable to find a deal they liked, held onto him past the deadline. Fast forward to 2025, and the story didn’t change much.
Robert got off to another slow start, and once again, the front office couldn’t find a trade partner willing to meet their asking price.
So, instead of selling low, GM Chris Getz doubled down. He exercised Robert’s $20 million option for 2026 - a move that suggests the organization still sees value in the 28-year-old center fielder, even if the trade buzz continues to swirl.
And make no mistake: the tools are still there. Robert ranks in the 90th percentile or higher in sprint speed, defensive range, and bat speed.
That’s not just raw talent - that’s game-changing ability, the kind that playoff teams covet when looking to round out a roster. It’s why teams like the Giants, Phillies, and Reds are being mentioned as potential landing spots.
But there’s a catch. Back-to-back down years have taken a bite out of Robert’s trade value.
If the White Sox want to move him, they may have to wait until the deadline, banking on a hot first half to rebuild his stock. That’s a gamble - but it might be the best path forward if they’re hoping for a meaningful return.
Then again, the White Sox haven’t exactly thrown open the doors to a trade. Publicly, they’ve remained committed to Robert.
Getz has gone on record multiple times, both in August and after the deadline, calling Robert “a valuable part of the club’s future” and emphasizing his role in the team’s rebuild. That’s not just lip service - it reflects the reality of where this roster stands.
This is a young, unproven lineup that’s still searching for an identity. Robert, even with his recent struggles, brings veteran presence, elite defense, and top-tier athleticism. His glove in center field is still Gold Glove-caliber, and with Andrew Benintendi showing signs of decline in left, Robert’s range becomes even more important to stabilizing the outfield.
There’s also the matter of depth. The White Sox don’t have any outfield prospects knocking down the door for an everyday role. That makes Robert’s presence not just a luxury, but a necessity - at least for now.
If he can stay healthy and find his rhythm early in 2026, the conversation could shift quickly. A resurgent Robert would not only give the White Sox a legitimate weapon in the heart of the lineup, but also reopen the door to a trade that could inject much-needed talent into a farm system that currently ranks middle-of-the-pack across MLB.
So as the Winter Meetings near, all eyes are once again on Luis Robert Jr. He’s not just a trade chip - he’s a player who could shape the White Sox’s rebuild, one way or another.