Robert Option Picked Up

[The Mighty Mite]

I’ve been a Sox fan over 7 decades and I think that Robert is the best centerfielder we’ve had in that time and we’ve had guys like Busby, Landis, Berry and Lemon.    
What drives me crazy with him of course is he can’t stay healthy and he continues to have lousy at bats, I haven’t seen him try to adjust, I’m sure the coaches have worked with him but for some reason it’s not working. It’s really a tough decision to make with what to do with him, the guy has so much talent, I keep hoping that he finally figures things out. At this point, I would keep him and if he doesn’t improve with the bat, they can trade him at mid-season and get whatever they can for him. Of course some team might come up with a deal that we can’t refuse but I’m not holding my breath on that happening.

 

Edited 11 hours ago by The Mighty Mite

[The Mighty Mite]

3 hours ago, Chicago White Sox said:

I’m not against trading Robert, but it’s got to be for a solid return and there has to be a plan for the OF.  I actually kind of think Baldwin could handle CF and that idea is highly intriguing to me.  Small sample sizes last year, but per Statcast he really struggled in the corner OF spots (primarily on lateral movement) and was overall solid in CF.  He may be a guy who struggles with reading the angles in LF or RF due to limited experience there, but can get by in CF due to his sneaky speed and the easier reads of the position.  But that would leave a massive hole in RF and force us to play Benintendi in LF without a decent addition.

I agree that Baldwin looks much better in CF than the OF corners and I think he’s going to improve with the bat but if the Sox keep Robert then Brooks is the odd man out or he can be a DH. Actually with the signing of Murakami my guess is Sosa might be the main DH. Since we need a rightfielder, maybe they trade Sosa. 

[Chicago White Sox]

18 minutes ago, The Mighty Mite said:

I agree that Baldwin looks much better in CF than the OF corners and I think he’s going to improve with the bat but if the Sox keep Robert then Brooks is the odd man out or he can be a DH. Actually with the signing of Murakami my guess is Sosa might be the main DH. Since we need a rightfielder, maybe they trade Sosa. 

Right now, I’m assuming Quero is the primary DH (and backup catcher).  As bad as Baldwin was in the OF corners last year, I think he’s worth giving an extended look there to see if he can improve with more repetition.  I think there is still room for Sosa on the 26 man roster, but they need to see if he can play some LF along with filling in at 2B, 1B, & DH.  His ability to crush LHP is still super valuable.

[PaleAleSox]

The roster opens up way more if Benintendi would get the hell outta here. 

[southsider2k5]

43 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

The roster opens up way more if Benintendi would get the hell outta here. 

Just eat the deal.  You hav3 to pay him anyway,  so pay him to go away. 

[PaleAleSox]

4 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Just eat the deal.  You hav3 to pay him anyway,  so pay him to go away. 

Agreed. You did it for Keuchel. You can do it for him. 

[baseball_gal_aly]

22 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

Agreed. You did it for Keuchel. You can do it for him. 

With guys they do that for, it's usually around Memorial Day during the last year of their contract. 

[WestEddy]

33 minutes ago, PaleAleSox said:

Agreed. You did it for Keuchel. You can do it for him. 

Keuchel was allowing 2 baserunners an inning and was worth -1.1 bWAR after 8 games. Benny hit league average last season and was worth a win.

[oldsox]

2 hours ago, The Mighty Mite said:

I’ve been a Sox fan over 7 decades and I think that Robert is the best centerfielder we’ve had in that time and we’ve had guys like Busby, Landis, Berry and Lemon.    
What drives me crazy with him of course is he can’t stay healthy and he continues to have lousy at bats, I haven’t seen him try to adjust, I’m sure the coaches have worked with him but for some reason it’s not working. It’s really a tough decision to make with what to do with him, the guy has so much talent, I keep hoping that he finally figures things out. At this point, I would keep him and if he doesn’t improve with the bat, they can trade him at mid-season and get whatever they can for him. Of course some team might come up with a deal that we can’t refuse but I’m not holding my breath on that happening.

 

Gotcha beat by 1.

[ChiSoxFanMike]

6 hours ago, Bob Sacamano said:

They need a few legit arms to make any kind of run anyway. Robert isn’t going to be the difference between going to playoffs or not. If they can get a comp pick for this draft from Reds or Pirates, with a couple extra pieces, that would be great.

If there’s a scenario where they can trade Robert for an actual return and then find AT LEAST an equivalent player to take his place in CF (Harrison Bader or something) then maybe. But if this scenario involves dumping his salary and having Derek Hill start, no thanks.

[southsider2k5]

3 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

If there’s a scenario where they can trade Robert for an actual return and then find AT LEAST an equivalent player to take his place in CF (Harrison Bader or something) then maybe. But if this scenario involves dumping his salary and having Derek Hill start, no thanks.

Who is trading an equal CF for Robert and why wouldn't they just keep the one they have?

[ChiSoxFanMike]

2 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Who is trading an equal CF for Robert and why wouldn't they just keep the one they have?

I meant the Sox trading Robert for something of significance and then signing or trading for a different CF to replace him.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Trading Robert at this point would kill a lot of the good will of signing Murakami.