While the MLB trade deadline is still a couple of months away, it’s never too early to start talking about who might be on the move. A Luis Robert Jr. trade is something that comes up often for the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox are in the midst of another miserable year. It makes sense for the team to extract any value from the major league roster that they can. That being said, it’s unlikely that it can come from a Robert Jr. trade. Even if the White Sox still have a couple of years of club control.
Dampering a Luis Robert Jr. Trade
On Tuesday, Robert Jr. spoke with MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. It was a candid interview, and the center fielder had a lot to say, particularly about the upcoming MLB trade deadline.
Very candid interview with Luis Robert Jr. today. When I asked him about the Trade Deadline approaching, he said he’s focused on getting better because “right now as my season is going, I don’t think anyone is going to take a chance on me.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) May 20, 2025
While it may have been a bit tongue-in-cheek, there is reason to believe in what Robert Jr. is saying.
After taking MLB by storm and leading a promising young core that should have seen more success, the wheels have seemingly fallen off for both the White Sox and Robert Jr. The White Sox made the postseason in both the shortened season of 2020, and 2021. With Robert Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, and more, the White Sox were supposed to usher in a new era of winning. Unfortunately, that never came to fruition for the White Sox.
Whether injuries or ineffectiveness, it’s clear his career didn’t go the way White Sox fans thought, and the way Luis Robert Jr. thought as well.
Robert Jr. by the Numbers
This season has seen a new low for Robert Jr. He’s slashing just .186/.281/.308. That’s a far cry from his 2021 season and the hype he received before injuries marred his early years.
Last season, Robert Jr. ended up on the IL early in the season with a flexor strain. He came off the IL on June 4th and went on to hit .224/.278/.379 with 14 homers and 19 doubles.
Those numbers don’t suggest someone with a ton of upside. Finding a team that would want to give him a shot is one thing. Finding one that would give the White Sox enough to part with him? Even more difficult. He has two club options for $20 million apiece following this season. If he doesn’t turn it around soon, it’s almost certain the White Sox will let him walk for nothing.
A Robert Jr. trade might still come to fruition, however, as the White Sox are off to a miserable start again, with no end in sight to their perpetual rebuilding. And for a team like the White Sox, something is better than nothing.
Image Credit: © Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
