Trade rumors surrounding Luis Robert Jr. continue to circulate this offseason, and a familiar suitor has once again resurfaced.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have checked on the trade availability of several players, including Robert, after negotiations with free agent Cody Bellinger stalled. The report echoes an earlier report from Francys Romero, who noted back in June that the Yankees were among multiple teams expected to show interest in Robert ahead of the trade deadline.
That renewed buzz may also be strategic. Both Robert and Bellinger are represented by Scott Boras, raising the possibility that the report is at least partially agent-driven as leverage in ongoing negotiations.
But it also could work to the White Sox advantage. If the Yankees are unwilling to overpay for Bellinger on the free-agent market, they may be more inclined to offer a stronger trade package for a cheaper cost-controlled alternative like Robert.
The White Sox have seemingly explored the idea of moving Robert for the past three seasons. After holding onto him following his 2023 All-Star campaign, Chicago instead saw his value dip sharply in 2024, when he posted a career-low 1.4 WAR. That downturn continued into 2025, when he again finished at 1.4 WAR.
Still, the White Sox exercised Robert’s $20 million team option, encouraged by a late-season resurgence at the plate before a hamstring injury ended his year in late August. The 28-year-old posted an .808 OPS in the second half, showing signs of renewed form while playing alongside the club’s emerging young core.
After the All-Star break, Robert slashed .298/.352/.446, production much closer to the player who crushed 38 home runs and delivered 5.3 WAR during his All-Star season — a reminder of the upside that continues to fuel trade interest around the league.
