MLB Rumors: Luis Robert Jr. Trade Discussed by Execs; White Sox 'In No Rush' to Deal

A potential trade for Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has reportedly been a hot topic among rival executives in Major League Baseball as of late.

According to Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, many MLB talent evaluators view Robert "as the kind of dynamic player who can improve any team," but there are some concerns, including the fact that he only has one huge statistical year to his credit thus far.

Rosenthal, Sammon and Mooney also reported that opposing teams believe the White Sox are in "no rush" to trade Robert since it may be easier for them to get the types of offers they desire during the offseason.

Last season, Robert had the best year of his career to date, as the 26-year-old slashed .264/.315/.542 and set career highs with 38 home runs, 80 RBI, 90 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.

Robert possesses a rare power-speed combination, plus he is a quality defender in center field, as evidenced by his Gold Glove Award win as a rookie in 2020.

The biggest thing holding Robert back throughout his career has been durability, as he has only once appeared in at least 100 games in a season, that being 2023 when he played 145 contests.

So far this season, Robert has played in only 21 games due to a hip flexor strain that kept him on the injured list for much of the campaign.

Robert hasn't hit his stride yet this season either, as he is hitting just .195, although he does have seven homers and 10 RBI.

Rosenthal, Sammon and Mooney noted that teams would like to see a repeat of Robert's 2023 season before offering a significant trade package for him, especially when considering the particulars of his contract moving forward.

The Cuban slugger signed a six-year, $50 million contract extension in 2020, and while he makes a palatable $12.5 million this year followed by $15 million next year, he has $20 million player options for 2026 and 2027.

That will prove to be a steep price to pay if Robert is unable to get past his injury issues and stay on the field consistently.

With a record of 20-55, the White Sox are the worst team in Major League Baseball this season, and they seemingly have a long rebuild ahead of them.

Robert is the type of talent who could potentially net them some solid prospects in a trade, but his trade value could decrease if he continues to struggle.

Still, it is easy to envision a team taking a chance on Robert's unique blend of skills provided Chicago's asking price at the trade deadline or during the offseason isn't exorbitant.