White Sox Enter New Era After Luis Robert Jr. Trade: What Comes Next for the Outfield and Infield Mix
The White Sox made a franchise-shifting move by trading Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets, and with that, the team’s outfield-and really the entire roster-enters a new phase. Robert wasn’t just a centerpiece of the lineup; he was the last remaining link to a previous era of high hopes and unfulfilled potential. Now, with a new front office direction and a roster in flux, the White Sox are embracing a reset, even if it comes with more questions than answers.
A New-Look Outfield-And Not Just on Paper
With Robert gone, the outfield depth chart looks completely different. The current group includes Brooks Baldwin, Andrew Benintendi, Derek Hill, Everson Pereira, and Tristan Peters.
That’s not exactly a murderers’ row of proven big-league production. To add depth, the team signed Dustin Harris and former first-round pick Jarred Kelenic to minor league deals.
Both are intriguing, but they’re far from guarantees.
Baldwin brings some versatility, but he’s more of a plug-and-play utility guy than someone you pencil into a starting outfield spot. Meanwhile, the team is planning to ease Benintendi out of regular left-field duties and into a more consistent designated hitter role. That’s a sign the front office is thinking long-term, trying to preserve Benintendi’s bat while opening up opportunities for younger, more athletic outfielders.
The Acuña Factor: Versatility and Upside, But Still Unproven
The centerpiece of the Robert trade was Luisangel Acuña, a speedy, versatile infielder who brings a different kind of energy to the roster. While he’s primarily played second base, he’s also logged time at shortstop, third base-and notably, center field. That last bit is key, because with the outfield wide open, Acuña could find himself roaming the grass if the infield picture gets too crowded.
Right now, the infield alignment looks like Chase Meidroth and Colson Montgomery up the middle, with Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas at the corners. That’s a young and talented group, but it also means Acuña will have to fight for playing time-unless his glove and legs earn him a shot in center.
It’s a bold move, especially considering Acuña’s major league resume is still very much a work in progress. In 95 games last season, he posted a .567 OPS with no home runs and just eight RBIs.
He hasn’t even reached 300 career at-bats yet. So while the tools are there, the production hasn’t followed-at least not yet.
Losing Robert: More Than Just a Bat
There’s no sugarcoating it-trading Luis Robert Jr. is a seismic shift. Even in a down year, he brought elite defense in center field, game-changing speed, and a bat that, when healthy, gave opposing pitchers fits.
His presence in the lineup was stabilizing, especially for a young, developing core. And for a pitching staff that’s still finding its footing, his range in center was a safety net that’s now gone.
Chris Getz’s decision to pick up Robert’s $20 million option made sense. There weren’t any clear upgrades available in free agency, and Robert’s ceiling is still among the highest in baseball when he’s right. But after months of trade rumors, it became clear that Robert’s time in Chicago was winding down.
The return? Acuña, plus right-hander Truman Pauley, a hard-throwing arm with real swing-and-miss stuff.
Pauley’s a former 12th-round pick, so he’s more of a developmental project than a plug-and-play bullpen piece. But he’s got upside, and in a rebuild, that’s the kind of player you take a chance on.
Robert’s Legacy: A Glimpse of Greatness, Hindered by Injuries
Robert’s six seasons in Chicago were a rollercoaster. He slashed .259/.313/.455 with 102 home runs and 298 RBIs, earned a Gold Glove in 2020, a Silver Slugger in 2023, and made an All-Star team. In 2023, he looked like a superstar in the making-posting a 4.9 WAR season with 38 homers and 20 stolen bases.
But injuries derailed that momentum. He played just 100 games in 2024, posting the lowest OPS of his career.
In 2025, he matched a career-low 1.4 WAR. The production dipped, and so did his trade value.
Still, there were flashes. Before a hamstring injury ended his 2025 season in August, he posted an .808 OPS in the second half and looked reenergized, hustling on the basepaths and making highlight-reel plays in center.
Had the White Sox held onto him into the season and he stayed healthy, there’s a real chance they could’ve fetched a bigger return. But Getz opted for the safer route-moving him now while his value was still relatively intact and shedding his full salary in the process.
Trade Grade: Understandable, But Lacking Sizzle
This trade isn’t a home run, but it’s not a strikeout either. It’s a single through the right side-safe, serviceable, and maybe the right play given the circumstances.
Acuña offers speed, versatility, and cost control. Pauley is a lottery ticket with upside.
And the $20 million in salary relief gives the front office some flexibility to retool.
But make no mistake: this deal leaves a hole in center field that won’t be easy to fill. The outfield picture is murky, and while there’s potential in names like Kelenic, Pereira, and Acuña, none have proven they can be everyday contributors at the big-league level-at least not yet.
So where does that leave the White Sox? In transition.
This is a team betting on upside, youth, and internal development. It’s a gamble, and like any rebuild, it’s going to take time to see if it pays off.
For now, the White Sox are turning the page. Whether the next chapter brings success or more growing pains remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the Luis Robert Jr. era is over, and the future-whatever it looks like-starts now.