The White Sox made a huge move on Sunday by signing two-time Nippon Professional Baseball MVP Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal. This move brings a power hitting lefty to the middle of the White Sox lineup, something they have been missing for quite a while.
However, almost immediately after the signing was announced, there was an interesting tidbit of news that accompanied it. Bob Nightengale came out and said that the White Sox next order of business was to trade centerfielder Luis Robert Jr.
Next up for the Chicago White Sox after the Munetaka Murakami signing:
They still would like to move CF Luis Robert for pitching depth and are engaged in talks with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 21, 2025
Nightengale specifically mentions both the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets as teams the White Sox are engaged in talks with. This is nothing new, as both teams were rumored to be in on Luis Robert Jr. over the past year or so.
However, this is a curious report, as the White Sox could have a formidable lineup if they chose to keep Robert Jr., as they now have 6-7 guys that have 20+ homerun potential. But, the White Sox have been shopping Robert Jr. for quite a while, so if they were to trade him, it’s not like this is coming out of nowhere.
If the White Sox are going to move Robert Jr., it wouldn’t be for nothing. Despite Robert missing 50+ games last season, he put up much better numbers in the second half of the season. This should help net the White Sox a better haul.
On Monday night, there was plenty of smoke about a potential trade with the Reds, as Gordon Wittenmyer, the Reds beat writer for the Cincinnati Inquirer, continued to link the two teams in a potential deal.
Reds in trade talks with White Sox for Luis Robert Jr.: Source https://t.co/1FwV9wydqL via @enquirer
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) December 23, 2025
The Reds would be an interesting destination for Robert Jr., as they have some very intriguing young players and prospects they could dangle. Let’s take a look at who the White Sox may be interested in from the Reds organization.
First, in Wittenmyer’s article, he specifically mentions pitchers Chase Petty, Julian Aguiar, and Brandon Williamson. The White Sox have always liked Petty, and he could be a nice piece in return.
Petty, just 22, currently ranks as the Reds’ number 7 prospect on MLB Pipeline, and was a former first round pick back in 2021. Petty has had a very good minor league career outside of 2025, as things seemingly went off the rails in AAA. However, Petty did make his MLB debut in 2025, so he could contribute immediately for the White Sox.
Chase Petty, 99mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/mhq0BgLOuI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 5, 2025
Aguiar, 24, has a career 3.38 minor league ERA, a 9.36 K/9 ratio, and a phenomenal 2.42 BB/9 ratio. This fits the exact profile the White Sox covet when looking for starting pitching.
Williamson, 27, has a 4.39 career ERA in the major leagues over 139 innings. He hasn’t pitched much due to injury, but he is a lefty and a former second round pick, which could intrigue the White Sox.
None of these players alone should get the deal done for Robert Jr., as the White Sox should at least get another hitting prospect that is close to the majors, or a top-100 prospect in the deal.
According to MLB Pipeline, the Reds have 6 top-100 prospects. The White Sox should try and pry one of these away from the Reds as well, as that could make the trade worthwhile. Perhaps the White Sox could try for Cam Collier, who currently ranks as the 94th prospect on the MLB Pipeline top-100.
20th HR this year for Cam Collier! pic.twitter.com/fRHMuxGCHE
— Prospect Dugout (@prospectdugout) September 1, 2024
Collier hit .279 with a .391 OBP last year over three levels. He added four homeruns, 48 RBIs, and 59 walks to 104 strikeouts. While the power wasn’t there in 2025, he hit 20 homers in 2024.
It is still very unclear what Robert Jr.’s value is on the open market, but I am confident if the White Sox trade him, it will be for a good deal, as they have turned down plenty of offers they don’t believe to be good enough. Whether his value is a good, young starting pitcher and a top-100 prospect remains to be seen, but if the White Sox are looking for pitching, the Reds may match up well in a trade.
