Jul 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) walks back to the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski
A recent hot stretch has reminded suitors how productive Luis Robert Jr. can be. The Chicago White Sox, though, seem to be getting carried away in what they're seeking in return for him before the July 31 trade deadline.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote this Monday evening about the asking price for Robert, a potential solution in the outfield for the Phillies:
The White Sox believe they would look ridiculous accepting a mid-tier prospect for a player as talented as center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Their stance is that if they don’t land at least one of a trade partner’s top 10 prospects for Robert, they will pick up his $20 million option.
ESPN's Buster Olney wrote something similar in a lengthy post on X Tuesday morning:
Division rivals are vying for outfielder Luis Robert of the White Sox, with the White Sox apparently resolute in the stance that they'll either receive a trade return the equivalent of what Robert's potential is or hang onto him beyond the deadline. The White Sox hold a $20 million option on Robert next season, and they have tons of payroll flexibility moving forward, meaning that there really is no financial stress in the decision; Chicago doesn't have to dump the contract. A lot of Robert's career has been filled with injury or underwhelming performance, but he's always been viewed as a superstar talent. Luisangel Acuna and Mark Vientos are among the names that have come up in conversations with the Mets, and the Phillies have a farm system loaded with pitching. The Padres are also interested in Robert.
Over the weekend, USA Today's Bob Nightengale also noted that the White Sox were insistent on Vientos being involved in any return for Robert in a story over the weekend. Mind you, while it's been a disappointing season for Vientos, he was a postseason hero for the Mets last year, posting a .998 OPS during their run to the NLCS. He's 25 years old and won't even become eligible for arbitration until the 2027 season, meaning he won't be a free agent until after 2029.
As the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaches, is Luis Robert Jr. still an ideal target for the Phillies? @TimKellySports says yes in last night's NEW episode of Phillies Stoplight🚦 pic.twitter.com/Dqix00GjAd
Robert, realistically, is a rental at this point. Sure, his contract includes $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027 that once seemed team-friendly. But this is someone with a lengthy injury history that's hit .216 with a .650 OPS since the start of the 2024 season. Any acquiring club is going to view Robert as a rental, and therefore balk at giving up a top prospect for him.
There's an argument to be made for the White Sox holding onto Robert if they don't get what they want considering he's just two years removed from hitting 38 home runs. For as long as it feels like he's been around, the center fielder will only turn 28 next week. Considering they are a young team with limited financial commitments currently, the White Sox might be wise to pick up Robert's $20 million option for 2026 if they don't trade him.
Phillies reportedly 'seriously considering and monitoring' Luis Robert Jr.
onpattison.com/news/2025/ju...
— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) July 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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However, we would say that it's pretty unlikely that general manager Chris Getz and the White Sox ultimately do that. And despite the fact that Robert is hitting .318 with a .957 OPS in July — including homering against the Phillies Monday night — it would be unfair to assume that other clubs are going to trade for Robert right now thinking he's a multi-year commitment.
Robert, at this stage, would be a roll of a dice for a contending team. He may come up escalators, but there's at least as good of a chance he comes up eels. And that's how suitors are going to value him in a trade.
