The Luis Robert Jr. trade saga is not going away anytime soon. Despite White Sox general manager Chris Getz remaining adamant publicly that the team is committed to Robert, his name continues to pop up in trade speculation.
According to MLB insider Michael Marino, the Mets have shown interest in Robert. This comes after ESPN’s Jeff Passan predicted that Robert has a 60% chance of getting dealt this offseason.
While there has been plenty of national speculation, the odds of Robert getting traded this offseason remain slim. Marino reports that a deal with the Mets is not imminent, but Luisangel Acuna is a player the White Sox have targeted in a potential trade.
Acuna alone will not be enough to get a deal done. While the 23-year-old infielder has some intriguing tools, he owns a .640 OPS and 1.1 WAR in his first 109 games.
If the White Sox were to entertain an offer from the Mets, a potential trade would likely need to include a player like third baseman Brett Baty and a prospect like 23-year-old right-hander Douglas Orellana, the No. 26 prospect in the Mets system. Baty owns a 2.5 WAR in four MLB seasons, while Orellana posted a 2.96 ERA between Double and Triple-A last season.
Getz has proven that he will not trade valuable assets unless his asking price is met, dragging out Dylan Cease negotiations until Spring Training and holding onto Garrett Crochet past the trade deadline in 2024.
Getz has repeatedly said he believes Robert brings meaningful value to the White Sox lineup. Even after a down year, Robert provides Gold Glove–caliber defense in center field and offers some protection for the team’s younger hitters.
Robert also showed signs of life before a season-ending hamstring strain in late August. He posted an .808 OPS in the second half and looked energized by the team’s young core, slashing .298/.352/.446 after the All-Star break. He more closely resembled the player who made the All-Star team after hitting 38 home runs and producing 5.3 WAR.
Given that, trading Robert while his value is low after two uneven seasons does little for the White Sox—especially if he can still help a rebuilding roster with his defense and speed. If he carries that momentum into next season, his trade value could rise, making a midseason move far more feasible.
