Robert’s Future

[loidwalden]

Trade him Get what you can. Not a Robert Fan.  Doesn't Hustle on normal plays

Rarely hits in clutch

[PaleAleSox]

1 minute ago, loidwalden said:

Trade him Get what you can. Not a Robert Fan.  Doesn't Hustle on normal plays

Rarely hits in clutch

Feel like he has hustled quite a lot this year. He was busting his ass down the line the other day. 

[DoUEvenShift]

3 minutes ago, loidwalden said:

Trade him Get what you can. Not a Robert Fan.  Doesn't Hustle on normal plays

Tell me you haven't watched without saying you haven't watched.

[chitownsportsfan]

He's hitting 278 with RISP. If he hit like that all the time he's right back to 5 WAR. His "clutch" isn't an issue. 

[Autumn Dreamin]

4 hours ago, bmags said:

If you put on your sports media psychoanalysis hat, I could see a case where Robert was relieved post trade deadline. He has had to live in this concept of constant "auditioning" and trying to be somewhere else, and finally he's able to just accept that he's on this team, it's his only career, and he's playing the kind of baseball he wants to play. No more worrying about injuring his soft tissue, he's playing pretty free out there.

1 hour ago, chitownsportsfan said:

He looks refreshed. I wonder if the weight of being labelled a "bust" and the almost certain trade was hindering his performance.

In CST, from a guy who has seen him at various points on this ride: “He’s still Luis Robert, man,” starting pitcher Davis Martin said. “He’s still the best player I’ve ever played with. It’s fun to see him loosen up and be a focal point.”

I do think there's something to it. He went from the pressure of living up to the early extension, to the pressure of trying to "save" the last core, to the pressure of constant trade chatter. Been a while since it's been solely "just go play your best baseball" for him. 

I know the assumption has been that he'd instantly take off on another team, but maybe that just introduces a new set of headaches. Trying to fit in/impress in a new place, worrying about the option, having to find a new deal if the option is declined...and that deal would probably be a short term prove it situation, so it's the same cycle.

If Luis (and Boras) would entertain it, I'd at least inquire about a reasonably priced extension. The worst of his injury concerns seem behind him, there's no glut of high ceiling OF prospects knocking down the door, and maybe he responds well to feeling more secure and settled in without having to be "the guy" for this core.

And as a side note, I really, really like Davis Martin. Smart, hard worker, seems great in the clubhouse.

[chitownsportsfan]

Robert seems like a guy that takes failure personally. The best athletes are just those that can shake it off but even in pro sports those guys makeup maybe 1/4 or so of the total. The rest of these guys have self doubt every day, just like the rest of us. 

A guy like Meidroth I don't think feels any pressure. He's always been the kid that had to do everything perfect at his size. A guy like Robert however you can dream on, and that pressure can deflate performance. 

[GreenSox]

I go back and forth on this, but I would probably pick up the option if for no other reason than it's one less thing that Getz needs to deal with; if they don't pick up the option, then he's got to find a CF because we have no internal options.   And next July, the priority should be to move Tauchman (should not be difficult if he's hitting) and Benintendi (he'll have to include $, but Beni really needs to go).  In fact, he might try to move those 2 in December.

Of course we need young OF regardless, but you don't want to be forced/pressured into an unfavorable trade due to necessity. 

 

[chitownsportsfan]

4 minutes ago, GreenSox said:

I go back and forth on this, but I would probably pick up the option if for no other reason than it's one less thing that Getz needs to deal with; if they don't pick up the option, then he's got to find a CF because we have no internal options.   And next July, the priority should be to move Tauchman (should not be difficult if he's hitting) and Benintendi (he'll have to include $, but Beni really needs to go).  In fact, he might try to move those 2 in December.

Of course we need young OF regardless, but you don't want to be forced/pressured into an unfavorable trade due to necessity. 

 

We have nothing even close to a MLB ready CF prospect. It's 20 million dollars. That's the cost of an average regular these days. Pickup the damn option. If they don't I will have a hard time being a fan next year.

[almagest]

1 minute ago, chitownsportsfan said:

We have nothing even close to a MLB ready CF prospect. It's 20 million dollars. That's the cost of an average regular these days. Pickup the damn option. If they don't I will have a hard time being a fan next year.

I will definitely lean more into the "fire Getz" camp if they don't pick it up. It's a no-brainer, plus they already hinted they would.

[T R U]

Just now, chitownsportsfan said:

We have nothing even close to a MLB ready CF prospect. It's 20 million dollars. That's the cost of an average regular these days. Pickup the damn option. If they don't I will have a hard time being a fan next year.

That's easy to say when its not your money. The issue will be convincing the owner to pay the $20M for a player that's not earning that salary. Especially when you consider they can just get out of it for $2M. The best financial decision is obviously to decline the option, you just have to hope that they can convince JR otherwise.

[kitekrazy]

23 hours ago, WestEddy said:

What you gain is having CF filled for most of 2 seasons (fingers crossed), and if he returns to form, slapping a QO on him, which he'll turn down, and getting an extra draft pick in the 2028 draft (if that rule isn't tossed in the negotiations. 

Compare that to 2 team top ten prospects Robert might bring back. 

You're taking a big gamble that Robert stays healthy. What do you lose? If he gets injured and misses 60 games, then puts up this sub-.600 OPS stretches, you get nothing. 

If the Sox run most of this current group back next year, at best, they're a 70+ win team. Depending on how guys develop and if they delve into free-agency after there's a new players' agreement, they might just be looking at being a .500 team in 2027, Robert's last year. He didn't switch to Scott Boras just to accept a qualifying offer for 2028. 

I guess there's no real CF in the minors to replace him.  The guy is still a stud with the glove.  Not 20mil defense since no glove guy is worth that.  But look who he had to play for in the past and also some of those teammates.  

[caulfield12]

8 hours ago, almagest said:

I will definitely lean more into the "fire Getz" camp if they don't pick it up. It's a no-brainer, plus they already hinted they would.

100% JR decision to save money or mitigate risk.  He just makes his own GM look unreliable or untrustworthy…in the end. 
 

No way this is Getz’s decision to make alone.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

10 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said:

We have nothing even close to a MLB ready CF prospect. It's 20 million dollars. That's the cost of an average regular these days. Pickup the damn option. If they don't I will have a hard time being a fan next year.

Im pretty sure the option is being picked up. Of course we wont know for sure until it happens. If JR fires Getz it could be because he didnt get rid of Robert's contract and JR will tell his new puppet to refuse the option. Hopefully Getz has already discussed this with JR or else keeping Robert at the TDL wouldnt have been an option.

Getz basically told  the rest of the GMs in baseball to f... Off. Im kinda glad about it. Glad the Mets slumped because Getz wouldnt accept a lowball offer. Same way I'm glad Baltimore will not make the playoffs this year because they wouldnt pony up for Cease. 

People at the beginning of the year figured the Sox for 110 losses this year and another 100 loss season in 2026. Theres a chance they dont lose 100 this year or next year and Robert might have a lot to do with that unless hes traded this off season. 

Since the All Star break and thats 30 games now the Sox have 9 hitters with a wRC+ over 100. 

There's been a little debate about if the Sox can get to 70 wins next year. The normal response is not a chance. There will be regression . The Sox dont have 9 above average hitters. How can so many rookies be doing so good ? Sophomore slumps upcoming. But what if the Colson Montgomery we see now plays a whole season instead of whatever he ends up playing,  a little less than half a season ? What if Baldwin, Sosa, Vargas , Quero, Teel, Robert, Montgomery can maintain or even improve on what they have been doing since the All Star break ? 

While the young pitching prospects all pretty much took a turn for the worse with injuries and inconsistent performance the Sox have been tremendous with pulling pitching out of thin air this year while it seems like the Sox have 1 new arm  every other week. Our #1 starter was a nobody prospect last year that the Brewers just let the Sox take. Vasil has been valuable even if his WAR doesnt reflect it that much just in being able to fill mutiple roles as the Swiss Army knife of the staff. 

People were very concerned the Sox would operate this year without their 2 best starting pitchers from 2024 and a crop of dumpster dive relievers . Point is a lot has gone right this year and still a good chance they lose 100 games again so next year to avoid 100 , the best thing to do is avoid the shitty April record. No more 5 win months. 

[Y2Jimmy0]

They’ll pick up the option and try to trade him this winter. If there was any chance of not picking it up, they would’ve traded him in July. This whole thing isn’t this complicated. 

[hogan873]

Robert seems to play better in a good environment.  As the Sox have added young players from the minors, and those guys have injected life into the team, he has been playing better with a lot of effort.  If the Sox pick up his option (a no brainer), and he is not traded, we could see this version of Robert for an entire season in 2026.

[caulfield12]

4 hours ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Im pretty sure the option is being picked up. Of course we wont know for sure until it happens. If JR fires Getz it could be because he didnt get rid of Robert's contract and JR will tell his new puppet to refuse the option. Hopefully Getz has already discussed this with JR or else keeping Robert at the TDL wouldnt have been an option.

Getz basically told  the rest of the GMs in baseball to f... Off. Im kinda glad about it. Glad the Mets slumped because Getz wouldnt accept a lowball offer. Same way I'm glad Baltimore will not make the playoffs this year because they wouldnt pony up for Cease. 

People at the beginning of the year figured the Sox for 110 losses this year and another 100 loss season in 2026. Theres a chance they dont lose 100 this year or next year and Robert might have a lot to do with that unless hes traded this off season. 

Since the All Star break and thats 30 games now the Sox have 9 hitters with a wRC+ over 100. 

There's been a little debate about if the Sox can get to 70 wins next year. The normal response is not a chance. There will be regression . The Sox dont have 9 above average hitters. How can so many rookies be doing so good ? Sophomore slumps upcoming. But what if the Colson Montgomery we see now plays a whole season instead of whatever he ends up playing,  a little less than half a season ? What if Baldwin, Sosa, Vargas , Quero, Teel, Robert, Montgomery can maintain or even improve on what they have been doing since the All Star break ? 

While the young pitching prospects all pretty much took a turn for the worse with injuries and inconsistent performance the Sox have been tremendous with pulling pitching out of thin air this year while it seems like the Sox have 1 new arm  every other week. Our #1 starter was a nobody prospect last year that the Brewers just let the Sox take. Vasil has been valuable even if his WAR doesnt reflect it that much just in being able to fill mutiple roles as the Swiss Army knife of the staff. 

People were very concerned the Sox would operate this year without their 2 best starting pitchers from 2024 and a crop of dumpster dive relievers . Point is a lot has gone right this year and still a good chance they lose 100 games again so next year to avoid 100 , the best thing to do is avoid the shitty April record. No more 5 win months. 

Even with Cease this year, the Orioles wouldn’t even be a .500 team.

He already has 10-11 losses and about half that number of wins and nearly a 5 ERA, much like 2023.

 

As of August 2025, Dylan Cease has a 6-11 win-loss record with a 4.71 ERA for the San Diego Padres and has made 26 starts in 2025. His most recent record update, with a 5-10 standing, was reported around August 21st after a win against Boston. 

 

Dylan Cease's 2025 Season 

 

• Wins-Losses: 6-11
• Team: San Diego Padres (SD)
• Starts: 26
• ERA: 4.71
• Strikeouts: 178 (6th)

He doesn’t miss starts, walks a lot, strikes out a lot, pitches 5-6 innings pretty reliably and simply can’t beat the Dodgers since last post-season.

14-12 in games started by Cease overall.

But the games SD lost…9, 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 6, 3, 4, 6, 2, 3…well, except for three games, he kept them relatively close but the offense was Bottom 6-7 in the majors until the trade deadline and they took off again.  

3.75 earned runs per game in those games they lost sounds closer to a 2/3 starter that someone who will be a Top 7-8 free agent on this year’s market.

8/26 starts didn’t even go 5 innings.

7 more outings either 5, 5.33 or 5.66.

So 11/26 starts of six innings or more.  That’s just not good enough to be considered an “elite” starting pitcher.

Edited August 26 by caulfield12

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

2 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Even with Cease this year, the Orioles wouldn’t even be a .500 team.

He already has 10-11 losses and about half that number of wins and nearly a 5 ERA, much like 2023.

 

As of August 2025, Dylan Cease has a 6-11 win-loss record with a 4.71 ERA for the San Diego Padres and has made 26 starts in 2025. His most recent record update, with a 5-10 standing, was reported around August 21st after a win against Boston. 

 

Dylan Cease's 2025 Season 

 

• Wins-Losses: 6-11
• Team: San Diego Padres (SD)
• Starts: 26
• ERA: 4.71
• Strikeouts: 178 (6th)

He doesn’t miss starts, walks a lot, strikes out a lot, pitches 5-6 innings pretty reliably and simply can’t beat the Dodgers since last post-season.

14-12 in games started by Cease overall.

But the games SD lost…9, 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 6, 3, 4, 6, 2, 3…well, except for three games, he kept them relatively close but the offense was Bottom 6-7 in the majors until the trade deadline and they took off again.  

3.75 earned runs per game in those games they lost sounds closer to a 2/3 starter that someone who will be a Top 7-8 free agent on this year’s market.

8/26 starts didn’t even go 5 innings.

7 more outings either 5, 5.33 or 5.66.

So 11/26 starts of six innings or more.  That’s just not good enough to be considered an “elite” starting pitcher.

Doesnt really matter how you think Baltimore wouldve done with Cease I dont think you can say with any amount of real conviction that his SD numbers wouldve been the same in Baltimore . Whole new situation and who knows what happens in a different dynamic. If the Sox had brought Vaughn back up would he have done the same as hes done in Milwaukee ? 

As a Sox fan, however illogical it us, I want the other teams who dont want our guys to do badly while Robert, Jr. proves his worth . I want Getz to email all the other teams this off season with a highlight reel of defensive, baserunning and offensive moments along with the stats of whenever it was Robert started hitting again along with a detailed analysis of any changes he made to get to where hes at now.  Pretty sure the leg kick was drastically reduced.  He's been doing well for about 9 or 10 weeks now. 

Edited August 26 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

[T R U]

4 hours ago, Y2Jimmy0 said:

They’ll pick up the option and try to trade him this winter. If there was any chance of not picking it up, they would’ve traded him in July. This whole thing isn’t this complicated. 

Respectfully, back on July 31st you still believed he would be traded and said you had no faith they would pick up that option. I would say its a little more complicated than you are leading on.

You really don't see any scenario at all where JR decides not to pick up the option?

[Bob Sacamano]

16 minutes ago, T R U said:

Respectfully, back on July 31st you still believed he would be traded and said you had no faith they would pick up that option. I would say its a little more complicated than you are leading on.

You really don't see any scenario at all where JR decides not to pick up the option?

I think his hot streak the few weeks leading up to the deadline changed things

[T R U]

59 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I think his hot streak the few weeks leading up to the deadline changed things

From purely a fan perspective, it would be ridiculous to not pick up the option but I am not sure its a slam dunk with all things considered. 

They were obviously ready to move on by trying to deal him at the deadline, he would probably need to finish the season scorching hot to change his value over the winter otherwise they probably are looking at the same type of offers.

[Bob Sacamano]

1 minute ago, T R U said:

From purely a fan perspective, it would be ridiculous to not pick up the option but I am not sure its a slam dunk with all things considered. 

They were obviously ready to move on by trying to deal him at the deadline, he would probably need to finish the season scorching hot to change his value over the winter otherwise they probably are looking at the same type of offers.

I meant, I think the hot streak made them up the package they wanted in a trade. Not just a "we'll take him for the best offer" which seemed like it was going to happen for months. Picking up the option, there still isn't a guarantee he will be on the team next year.

[T R U]

Just now, Bob Sacamano said:

I meant, I think the hot streak made them up the package they wanted in a trade. Not just a "we'll take him for the best offer" which seemed like it was going to happen for months. Picking up the option, there still isn't a guarantee he will be on the team next year.

That's true, im sure they could still give him away if they wanted to if they pick up the option. 

[WestEddy]

8 minutes ago, T R U said:

From purely a fan perspective, it would be ridiculous to not pick up the option but I am not sure its a slam dunk with all things considered. 

They were obviously ready to move on by trying to deal him at the deadline, he would probably need to finish the season scorching hot to change his value over the winter otherwise they probably are looking at the same type of offers.

Or to reengage teams who didn't view themselves as contenders, and weren't prepared to add in July.

[Tony]

This goes back to a topic we were discussing a few weeks ago, the relationship a GM has with the owner, having conviction, etc. 

@T R U is not wrong that there is absolutely a scenario where Jerry says "So you're telling me we're not going to be a .500 team with Robert, or without him...so what the hell am I paying him $20 million for when I can cut my loses for 2 million?" 

That's when Getz has to lead with purpose and explain the lack of a true CF in the organization, trade options, etc. 

[Bob Sacamano]

14 minutes ago, Tony said:

This goes back to a topic we were discussing a few weeks ago, the relationship a GM has with the owner, having conviction, etc. 

@T R U is not wrong that there is absolutely a scenario where Jerry says "So you're telling me we're not going to be a .500 team with Robert, or without him...so what the hell am I paying him $20 million for when I can cut my loses for 2 million?" 

That's when Getz has to lead with purpose and explain the lack of a true CF in the organization, trade options, etc. 

If that was possible at all, they would have dealt him for the best offer.