White Sox Stay Busy Over the Holidays as Luis Robert Jr. Trade Rumors Heat Up
Chris Getz isn’t exactly the type to wind down over the holidays. While most front offices are taking a breath, the White Sox GM is still working the phones, still pushing buttons, still trying to reshape a roster that’s in full transition mode.
As he put it himself, “I don’t even know if I like the time off quite honestly. I love diving in.”
That mindset might be driving his family a little crazy, but for a team looking to retool, it’s exactly the kind of energy Chicago needs.
And with the recent signings of Sean Newcomb and Munetaka Murakami, Getz is showing no signs of slowing down. But the biggest move might still be on deck - and it centers around Luis Robert Jr.
The Luis Robert Jr. Trade Talks: Smoke Turning Into Fire?
Robert’s name has been floating in trade rumors for a while now, but the latest buzz suggests things might finally be moving toward something real. The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly deep in discussions with the White Sox, and while the New York Mets have been loosely connected as well, it’s Cincinnati that appears to be the most serious suitor at the moment.
According to reports, the Reds made an offer earlier this offseason, but Chicago pushed back, asking for another player in the deal. Now, there’s talk that a trade “could be done as soon as this week, if it gets done.” That’s the kind of phrasing that tells you both sides are close - but also that they’ve been circling each other for a while without quite pulling the trigger.
The White Sox are reportedly willing to eat a portion of Robert’s 2026 salary, which could help get a deal across the line. That’s significant, especially considering the financial flexibility the club might be looking to regain after Murakami’s addition.
In terms of return, the Sox are eyeing young, controllable talent - particularly arms. The Reds have a few intriguing names that fit the bill, including Chase Petty, a hard-throwing righty with upside, and two starters returning from Tommy John surgery: Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson. Both have big-league experience and could be part of a near-term turnaround if they stay healthy.
Why Now?
Robert isn’t exactly the most in-demand name on the market, but that’s more a reflection of the position scarcity and salary considerations than his talent. He’s a right-handed-hitting center fielder with power and upside - a rare commodity in today’s game. And for a team like the Reds, who are looking to take the next step in a crowded NL Central, adding a player like Robert could be the kind of move that changes the trajectory of a season.
On the flip side, the White Sox are clearly playing the long game. They’re not in a rush, but they are motivated. If the right deal comes along - one that brings back multiple young pieces who are close to contributing - it could finally be time to move on from Robert and fully commit to the next phase of the rebuild.
Pirates Land Ryan O’Hearn
While the White Sox were linked to Ryan O’Hearn earlier this offseason, it’s the Pittsburgh Pirates who ultimately landed the veteran first baseman, reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $29 million deal. It’s a solid move for Pittsburgh, who adds a left-handed bat with a track record of above-average production - even if he’s never quite broken through to star status.
For Chicago, O’Hearn would’ve helped raise the floor of the offense and given new manager Will Venable another option at first base. But at 32 and without a 20-homer season to his name, he wasn’t the kind of needle-moving acquisition that aligns with where the Sox are headed. They’re looking for upside, not just stability - and O’Hearn’s price tag might’ve made more sense for a team with a shorter path to contention.
MLB Tech Regulations Raise Eyebrows
Away from the trade market, there’s a different kind of drama brewing - this time in the boardrooms and back channels of Major League Baseball. The league’s push to regulate technology in the minor leagues is drawing some scrutiny, particularly after reports surfaced about a potential conflict of interest involving one of the vendors under consideration.
At the recent Winter Meetings, MLB presented several tech firms to clubs in a closed-door session. One name that came up repeatedly: Infinite Sky, a startup that uses AI to analyze pitcher biomechanics, ball movement, and injury risk.
The twist? The company was founded by Ken Lazarus - who happens to be the uncle of Morgan Sword, MLB’s EVP of Baseball Operations and a key figure in the league’s tech initiatives.
That connection has raised some eyebrows, especially as teams now begin to vet the companies being considered for league-wide adoption. If MLB is serious about leveling the playing field and making sure all players - regardless of organization - have access to cutting-edge tools, then transparency and fairness are going to be critical. Otherwise, it risks creating a system where information gets siloed, and only the most connected teams reap the benefits.
There’s also the question of cost. If the league isn’t footing the bill for these technologies, and exclusivity deals start popping up, it could widen the gap between forward-thinking organizations and those that lag behind. That’s not just a competitive issue - it’s a development one, too.
What’s Next?
For the White Sox, all eyes are on the Luis Robert Jr. situation. If a deal does get done, it could be the most significant move of Getz’s early tenure - a true signal that the club is ready to rebuild from the ground up. But whether it happens this week or drags into the new year, one thing’s clear: Getz isn’t waiting for the calendar to flip before making moves.
And if the rest of the league is still in holiday mode, well, that’s just more room for the White Sox to operate.