On Thursday, New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Chicago White Sox are “actively seeking” trade packages for slugger Luis Robert Jr. as the team heads into Summer with the worst record in baseball.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Robert Jr. is in the midst of his fifth season with Chicago. The one-time All-Star has spent his entire career with the White Sox.
However, with the White Sox currently enduring their longest losing streak in franchise history and lacking any prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top-100 list, Chicago’s front office faces a nightmare scenario. They have no solid trade pieces besides Robert Jr.
This season, the 26-year-old has missed considerable time due to a right flexor strain that sent him to the IL on April 5th. Robert recently returned to the White Sox on June 4th and has already hit two home runs in four games in June.
In 2023, Robert smashed 38 home runs and posted a .857 OPS.
If the White Sox do end up trading Luis before the deadline, which seems likely, where might he go?
According to a recent list by Zach Rymer at Bleacher Report, the Phillies, who currently hold the best record in Major League Baseball, are favorites to land the slugger. Robert would fit perfectly in Philadelphia’s star-studded outfield, which already includes Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos.
Second on Rymer’s list are the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team known for not shying away from spending more. Although LA already has the largest payroll in baseball, they are always in contention when a big name hits the market.
Interestingly, at number four, behind the Guardians at number three, are the Arizona Diamondbacks. With a record of 30-33 in a highly competitive NL Wild Card race, the Diamondbacks could certainly use another power bat in their lineup.
Power has recently been a significant area of interest for their front office. After embracing chaos in 2023 and using their speed to get around the bases and throw opposing pitchers off guard, Arizona acquired Eugenio Suarez and Joc Pederson in free agency—two players not known for their speed on the bases.
Making Robert an even more attractive name on the market is the fact that whichever team signs him will have control of him through 2027. He is currently on a six-year, $50 million contract, with most of the contract’s payout scheduled for the final two years.
The full list:
We ranked the Top 10 potential landing spots for Luis Robert Jr. ???? @zachrymer pic.twitter.com/sw39ciGbLl
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) June 7, 2024
