Even White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. knows he’s not a great trade candidate right now

After final yr’s 121-loss catastrophe, the Chicago White Sox are common previous dangerous this season slightly than traditionally terrible. Their 14-34 file places them on tempo to lose 115 video games, which is clearly horrible, however is nothing the Baltimore Orioles did not do throughout their current rebuild. Contemplate the 115-loss tempo progress, I suppose.

The White Sox have been anticipated to be very dangerous and, ultimately, what distinction does it make when you lose 110 or 115 or 121 video games? For Chicago, this season is all concerning the improvement of their younger gamers, and the veterans they will money in as commerce chips on the deadline. Utility males Josh Rojas, Austin Slater, and miscellaneous depth pitchers are anticipated to generate curiosity across the league.

Chicago’s prime commerce chip ought to be heart felder Luis Robert Jr., who slugged 38 residence runs and performed Gold Glove-caliber protection in 2023, however hasn’t come wherever near doing so since. He is hitting .186/.281/.308 with 5 residence runs whereas putting out 28.9% of the time this yr. That is after hitting .224/.278/.379 with a 33.2% strikeout fee in 100 video games round damage final yr. Yeesh.

On Tuesday, Robert was requested concerning the commerce deadline, and whether or not the rumors linger in his thoughts. He gave a fairly good — and refreshingly sincere — reply:

As dangerous as he is been, I’d not shut the door on a Robert commerce. He is solely 27 and there’s no long-term dedication. Robert will make $15 million this yr and his contract consists of $20 million membership choices for 2026 and 2027. That contract is all upside. If Robert performs nicely, you possibly can maintain him. If he continues to hit underneath the Mendoza line, you possibly can stroll away, no strings connected.

The White Sox discovered a taker for Eloy Jiménez ultimately yr’s commerce deadline. On the time, Jiménez was hitting .240/.297/.345. That is higher than what Robert is doing now, however it’s nonetheless fairly dangerous, particularly since Jiménez was a DH. Robert a minimum of brings a great glove and standout baserunning (MLB-leading 17 steals this yr) to the desk. He is not a complete zero if he isn’t hitting.

Heart field-needy contenders just like the Cleveland Guardians, Kansas Metropolis Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies instantly bounce to thoughts as groups that might roll the cube on Robert on the deadline. There are solely so many outfield commerce candidate to go round. If somebody higher is not out there, Robert begins to look actually good actually shortly.

Robert desires to enhance his efficiency as a result of he is an enormous leaguer who would not like performing this terribly, at first, and in addition as a result of it could set him up higher financially after the season. Even when his $20 million possibility is declined this winter, he will likely be higher positioned to signal a pleasant free-agent deal if he finishes this yr robust, ideally alongside the strains of his 2023. 

Getting higher on the plate would additionally open up extra commerce potentialities on the deadline, and the White Sox are rooting for that. Robert is their final commerce chip with an opportunity to deliver again a great return. Everybody else with worth has been dealt. Come what may, I guess Robert goes on the deadline. His efficiency will dictate the place he goes and the way a lot the White Sox get in return.

Along with Robert, different notable commerce candidates forward of the deadline embody lefty Tyler Anderson (Los Angeles Angels,) righty Erick Fedde (St. Louis Cardinals), and infielder Brandon Lowe (Tampa Bay Rays).