The White Sox trade deadline passed with far less activity than expected, with some of Chris Getz's moves, or lack thereof, being scrutinized by the fanbase. Specifically, the decision to hold onto Luis Robert Jr.
Getz is taking a $20 million gamble. Trade rumors have been hovering over Robert since the offseason, but the White Sox opted to hang onto their centerfielder, hoping that he could increase his value before the trade deadline. The decision backfired as Robert slashed .190/.275/.325 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs before the All-Star break.
Even with his subpar performance, the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, and Padres were all rumored to be interested in adding Robert. But Getz, who has a history of being stingy in negotiations until his asking price is met, did not receive a decent offer. Now the White Sox have no choice but to pick up Robert’s $20 million club option and hope that he can return to his 2023 form that made him an All-Star.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Mets were the only team to show the “slightest interest” in Robert. They opted instead to trade for Cedric Mullins for three fringe minor league prospects.
Like Robert, Cedric Mullins is having a down year, but he’s still managed a .738 OPS with 15 home runs. Yet the Orioles only received right-hander Raimon Gonzalez — the Mets’ No. 30 prospect — along with two unranked prospects, Chandler Marsh and Anthony Nunez. That return underscored the reality: the White Sox were unlikely to receive what they considered a fair asking price for Luis Robert Jr.
However, the fact that teams were even interested in Robert despite his poor performance is an indicator of just how talented he is. Because of this, the White Sox decsion not to budge on their asking price and sell when his stock was low was a wise move.
GetzLuis Robert Jr. stemmed from the belief that he’s still making an impact on games, which is a reflection of his talent. He also cited Robert’s recent production over the past month. Getz said the organization expects him to be part of the roster beyond the 2025 season, adding, “If we felt otherwise, maybe we go in a different direction.”
In Robert’s last 30 games, he is hitting .289 with six home runs and a .505 slugging percentage. Keeping Robert means the team will have to pick up his $20 million option. Still, Robert is currently making $15 million, so an extra $5 million doesn’t hurt the White Sox given their payroll flexibility next season.
Even if Robert never fully realizes his superstar potential, he still offers Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field — a valuable asset for a young pitching staff and an organization lacking outfield prospects ready to step in.
Injuries are still a concern. Robert has only appeared in over 100 games once in his first four seasons in the big leagues. If he goes down again, all his potential trade value for next season is gone, and the White Sox risk losing him for nothing while also eating $20 million.
Getz was in an unenviable position, and keeping Robert present poses some concerns. But trading Robert for pennies on the dollar would be a questionable move for a team that’s shown real progress in the second half. The White Sox are playing above .500 since the All-Star break and lead the league in runs scored during that stretch. The emergence of Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and Colson Montgomery also gives Robert some much-needed lineup protection, something he has been lacking the past two seasons when his offensive numbers took a nose dive.
“We believe in Luis Robert and other teams have identified him as a guy that can help their club, and there was an effort to acquire him,” Getz told reporters. “But certainly it wasn’t to the level in which we felt like could have met the mark for us to move on from a talent like Luis Robert. What he does defensively, offensively, what he’s capable of undoing, and certainly on the base paths. We just love Luis Robert. We do. We’ve got more time and just didn’t feel like it made any sense for us.”
With the AL Central looking more vulnerable than ever after the trade deadline, Luis Robert Jr. still has a chance to be a key contributor for a White Sox team that could take a step forward next season. And even if the team falls short of contention, a bounce-back year from Robert would boost his trade value, giving the White Sox another opportunity to move him at next year’s deadline. While Getz is certainly rolling the dice, he’s also preserved the team’s flexibility moving forward. In the grand scheme of things, that is much more valuable than taking a flyer on some fringe prospects.
