JUSTgottaBELIEVE

Wrong. Rumors are rumors and unless something is finalized it’s all speculation.

Dang, I remember a few months ago fending off all those arguing that Luis had substantially more trade value than Bellinger, who was traded for peanuts in the offseason. I don’t even care what Bellinger is making $ wise over his remaining contract, I’d take him 10/10 times over Luis.

3 weeks until the trade deadline. What’s this dude going to return? One 45 FV prospect if the Sox eat like $5M of his remaining contract?

Arguably, he’d have more trade value if he missed most of the first half of the season to injury than he does now. Because at least the mystique of a star player could live on and a team would “just have to get him healthy.”

90% now?

I’m sorry but Robert turning into a completely worthless trade chip outweighs any positives from the first half. He was the last “big” piece to help accelerate the rebuild process but no longer the case.

At this point it doesn’t matter. They are getting little in return even if he does. It’s unfortunate they didn’t dump him in the offseason.

Did he get hot yet because it’s surely hot as hell outside

Not as far behind as you think if the owner actually spends money next offseason. That, of course, is a big if.

AL Central is 38-29 against the AL East and 29-30 against the AL West. Detroit is the best team in the league.

The rest of the AL is not way better.

Twins and Guardians aren’t elite in anything and both are AL playoff contenders. AL has been trending down for years.

You don’t need elite starting pitching to be a contender in the AL. I don’t consider anyone in the Twins rotation elite.

Sox starters are #21 in mlb this season in fWAR. Not quite league average yet but getting closer and if Smith/Schultz are as good as advertised the rotation should be at least league average next year.

They’re fine as 4/5 types with upside as 3s. Smith is already a mid rotation starter with ace upside. That’s a lot better than I was expecting coming to this season if I’m being honest.

Is Dylan Cease frontline? Heard he’s available this winter.

I dunno, I feel like Smith, Cannon, Burke, and Martin provide the foundation for a solid rotation. Hopefully Schultz, Thorpe, and Smith are ready next year and hopefully Ishbia approves a couple solid free agent signings to fill out the rotation. Very possible to have an average to above average rotation starting next season even without Taylor in it.

Considering Robert is ranked #18 out of 18 qualified CFs in mlb per fangraphs leads me to think the answer to your question is no. I don’t think many people here have fully acknowledged that Robert with his contract/remaining commitments is bordering on being a negative value, forget surplus.

Why is it crazy? He’s making $15M this year and also has a $2M buyout of next year’s $20M. He’s got a .552 OPS this season and is effectively a 0 WAR player over the past 1.5 seasons that also has an extensive history of injuries but now has significant performance concerns even when healthy. Truly, I don't think many teams would touch the guy at his current salary.

Get one? They’ll be lucky to find someone to simply take on his remaining salary, let alone get anything in return.

The irony is that both Mike Tauchman and Michael Taylor have more trade value than Robert (admittedly, minimal value nonetheless). That’s something I didn’t expect to type 4 months ago.

It’s all good. I’ve had very little faith in Robert this season because I didn’t like what I was seeing. And it started last season. He’s definitely not the same hitter he was in 2023 regardless of what the advanced analytics may or may not say. It’s unfortunate but he’s going the way of Moncada - option declined and buyout after this season.

Will Robert successfully complete the golden sombrero?

I’m still waiting to eat a fuckton of crow

It’s actually scary how similar their numbers are so far this season. Both sitting at 0.0 fWAR. Robert’s wRC+ is 66 and Taylor’s wRC+ is 65. Unfortunately, one is getting paid $15M while the other is getting paid just $1.95M.