The White Sox made a clear statement last month when they exercised their $20 million club option on Luis Robert Jr. for the 2026 season. General manager Chris Getz emphasized that Robert remains in the team’s plans as the starting center fielder moving forward.
But that hasn’t stopped other clubs from kicking the tires on a potential trade. According to reports, the Mets, Padres, and Pirates have all shown interest in acquiring the 28-year-old outfielder.
It’s easy to see why teams are intrigued-Robert’s talent is undeniable. But his recent performance and injury history have complicated the picture.
Robert’s 2025 campaign was a tale of two halves. Over 110 games, he slashed .223/.297/.364 with an 84 wRC+, a line that doesn’t jump off the page.
His first half was especially rough: just a .185 average and a 63 wRC+ through June 25, when a left hamstring strain landed him on the injured list. His strikeout rate sat at 30.9% at that point, continuing a troubling trend from 2024.
While his 10.2% walk rate offered a silver lining, the overall offensive output was well below expectations for a player of his pedigree.
But then came the rebound. Robert returned to the lineup on July 8 and looked like a different hitter.
In 146 plate appearances before another hamstring issue ended his season in late August, he hit .293/.349/.459 with a 124 wRC+. His strikeout rate dropped dramatically to 16.4% in that span, and his BABIP bounced back to a more sustainable .317 after sitting at .245 in the first half.
That second-half surge was enough for the White Sox to hold onto him at the trade deadline, despite multiple suitors checking in.
Still, the overall body of work in 2025-1.3 WAR per FanGraphs-was a far cry from his 2023 breakout. That season, Robert launched 38 homers, posted a 129 wRC+, and played 145 games en route to an All-Star selection.
It was the kind of performance that made the six-year, $50 million extension he signed back in 2020 look like a steal. But the last two seasons have raised questions about durability and consistency, and suddenly, that $20 million option for 2026 looks a lot heavier on the books-especially for a team in the middle of a rebuild.
So why pick up the option? Part of it likely comes down to the thin center field market.
Trent Grisham had a nice 2025 but accepted the qualifying offer. Cody Bellinger is still out there, but he’s more of a corner outfielder these days.
Harrison Bader is elite defensively, but his offensive breakout this year was fueled by a .359 BABIP-hard to count on repeating that. In that context, keeping Robert, even at a high price, makes more sense.
The White Sox are hoping Robert can stay healthy and productive in 2026, which would not only help stabilize their lineup but also position him as a valuable trade chip at next year’s deadline. And it’s no surprise that teams are already circling.
The Mets are a logical suitor. They leaned on Tyrone Taylor in center field last season, but his 70 wRC+ over 341 plate appearances left plenty to be desired.
They tried to patch things up by acquiring Cedric Mullins, but he struggled as well and left for Tampa Bay in free agency. Prospect Carson Benge is close, but if New York wants to bring him along slowly, Robert could be a solid bridge-especially for a team with the resources to absorb his salary.
The Padres and Pirates are more intriguing cases. San Diego already has Jackson Merrill locked in at center after a 3.0 fWAR season and a $135 million extension signed in April.
Robert could slot in as a DH, but that would be an underutilization of his defensive skills-he posted 7 Outs Above Average in center this year. Plus, the Padres are already projected for a $201 million payroll in 2026, close to this year’s $211 million figure.
Unless the White Sox are willing to eat a chunk of Robert’s salary, that deal might be tough to swing.
The Pirates, meanwhile, have been more aggressive this offseason than we’ve seen in years. They reportedly offered $80 million to Josh Naylor and were in on Kyle Schwarber before he re-signed with the Phillies.
That said, Robert doesn’t quite match up with those names in terms of recent production. Pittsburgh has Oneil Cruz under club control through 2028, and while Cruz also struggled offensively in 2025 (86 wRC+), he’s significantly cheaper at a projected $3.6 million in arbitration.
The Pirates may just be doing their homework, but unless Chicago is willing to get creative with the financials, a deal seems unlikely.
For now, Robert remains a White Sox. But with his combination of upside, defensive value, and a contract that-while pricey-only runs through 2026, he’s going to stay on a lot of teams’ radar. If he can stay on the field and replicate that second-half form, don’t be surprised if his name resurfaces in trade talks well before next summer’s deadline.