With the Winter Meetings in full swing, the Chicago White Sox are fielding calls from teams eager to pry away two of their most valuable assets: left-hander Garrett Crochet and centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. As rumors swirl and contenders circle, it’s clear that both players have the power to shake up the league.
Though 2024 was another injured-marred season for Robert, White Sox general manager Chris Getz told the Chicago-Sun Times’ Daryl Van Schouwen and other reports that his team has “gotten a lot of interest” in Robert’s services during the Winter Meetings. The Cincinnati Reds appear to be one of the interested parties, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds have “at least checked in on Robert.”
It’s no surprise that Getz is demanding a strong overhaul for Robert. Getz defended his stance by saying that the White Sox are looking for a trade package commensurate to “the talent that he brings to the table” since Robert’s tools have changed.
Reds Efforts to Acquire Luis Robert Jr. Intensifies
Cincinnati is an interesting potential trade partner for Chicago. Behind Crochet, Robert is the Chicago’s second-best trade chip. Despite having a poor 2024 season, Robert slashed .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs in 100 games around a Grade 2 hip flexor strain. He struck out in 33.2% of his plate appearances, the fifth-highest rate among 207 players with at least 400 plate appearances in 2024.
The Reds have a plethora of high-ceiling young players who underperformed in 2024. Their disappointing season saw them fall from 82-80 in 2023 to 77-85 in 2024, mainly due to the struggles of key young players. While Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson met expectations, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte and Christian Encarnacion-Strand failed to deliver, leaving their status as building blocks for the future in question. That’s also except for Matt McLain, who missed the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The Reds’ interest in Robert makes sense given their need for outfield upgrades. With Robert as the new center fielder, the team could rearrange their lineup differently. Shifting TJ Friedl to left field and Steer back to the infield is a possible option, allowing manager Terry Francona to optimize his lineup and flexibility around Robert. Robert’s contract is also an attractive aspect of his trade value. He’s set to earn $15 million in 2025, with two $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027. While not a massive financial commitment, the Reds’ limited payroll might complicate trade negotiations.
The White Sox certainly would not be selling high on Robert this offseason. The smart move would be to keep him, let him rebuild value early in 2025, then trade him at the deadline. There’s also the case of why the White Sox should trade Robert now, turn the page and move forward with the rebuild.
Main Photo: © Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
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