Former All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. offered bad news for Chicago White Sox fans hoping to leave a historically embarrassing 2024 behind.
Trade rumors surrounded Robert, a 2023 Silver Slugger, throughout the offseason. Chicago dealt ace Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox and didn’t do much to improve after a record-setting 121-loss season.
Did Robert, who has two team options remaining on a six-year deal, expect to start this year in a White Sox uniform?
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“Honestly, no,” Robert said Wednesday.
“I know there were a lot of rumors around there, and I didn’t think I would be here,” Robert added, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “But I’m glad that I’m here.”
It’s probably not a great sign that Robert admitted he expected the White Sox to trade him. Then again, sportsbooks widely believe the White Sox will lose over 100 games again, so any positives on the South Side are few and far between.
Still, White Sox fans shouldn’t plan on seeing the 2020 Gold Glove winner in their outfield much longer. The 27-year-old is easily the team’s most tradable asset, even after tallying a .224 average, 14 home runs, and a career-worst .657 OPS.
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Robert owns a .267 average, 88 home runs, and a .790 OPS in five MLB seasons. He’s affordable, immensely talented, and only two years removed from a 5.3 bWAR campaign.
In other words, don’t be surprised to see him in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform this summer.
