White Sox Resisting Temptation Amid Luis Robert Jr. Trade Talks

As the 2024 MLB trade deadline draws near, Chicago White Sox fans are bracing for changes. The Sox currently own an abysmal 15-40 record — on pace for a historically bad season — and more of the team's assets are expected to be moved at this season's deadline. However, one prominent name might not be going anywhere, and that's Luis Robert Jr.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today , the White Sox are "resisting temptation" to trade away their star center fielder. That temptation might be warranted. Robert Jr. is easily general manager Chris Getz's top trade asset. With three more seasons of club control following the 2024 campaign, including two club options in 2026 and 2027 at a team-friendly $20 million, teams looking to add a top-tier talent to their lineup at a controllable rate would undoubtedly be banging on Getz's door to get a deal done.

The Case for Keeping Luis Robert Jr.

After a stint on the injured list due to a hip flexor strain, Luis Robert Jr.'s planned return in June is highly anticipated. The All-Star's brief 2024 performance and his impactful 2023 season — a .264/.315/.542 slash line with 38 homers — underline his value. With Robert Jr. in tow, the White Sox have a cornerstone capable of guiding them back to relevance in the next few seasons.

However, a lot would have to go right between now and 2027 for the White Sox to be back in contention. A new crop of prospects headlined by shortstop Colson Montgomery and starting pitcher Noah Schultz is set to arrive at 35th/Shields over the next calendar year. If the White Sox believe the current pool of talent will develop fast enough to make an impact before Robert Jr.'s current deal expires and the front office plans to fill in the gaps via trades and or free-agent signings, keeping their star center fielder around after this year's trade deadline may signal an attempt to compete for an AL Central title by the 2026 or 2027 season.

Should those plans not come to fruition, Robert Jr. is a surefire candidate to be available on the trade market over the next three seasons.

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