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Top MLB reporter: Teams Will 'Laugh At' Luis Robert Jr. If He Makes This Demand
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- Top MLB reporter: Teams Will 'Laugh At' Luis Robert Jr. If He Makes This Demand
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The only thing lower than Luis Robert Jr.'s .190 batting average is his trade value. The Chicago White Sox held onto the former All-Star too long and will not be getting the prospect haul they once thought they would receive for Robert.
The White Sox are even willing to pay down some of Robert's contract that pays him $15 million this year. He has club options for 2026 and 2027 at $20 million each.
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Two years ago those club options seemed like a no-brainer to pick up, but now, Robert will be viewed as just a rental if he is traded. However, Robert should not be under the illusion he can demand an acquiring team pick up those options.
"I would expect if he gets traded, the team that acquires him will be operating under the premise that they're not picking up the option," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal told the "Foul Territory" podcast.
"He can't demand them to pick up an option, and teams would laugh at him if he did that anyway. That's my expectation that any team that acquires him looks at him as a rental."
Robert's production has dropped dramatically since hitting 38 home runs in 2023 and being named an All-Star. In an injury-plagued 2024, the White Sox center fielder hit .224/.278/.379 with an 85 OPS+ and 1.4 bWAR in 100 games. It's even worse this season, as he's slashing .190/.275/.325 with a 67 OPS+ and 0.0 bWAR.
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If a team does acquire Robert, they can use him as a platoon player against left-handed pitching. He has an .886 OPS against southpaws in 2025, compared to a .508 OPS against right-handed pitchers.
But teams should not be under the illusion that Robert will magically transform himself into an All-Star again once out of Chicago.
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