Robert Thread: Sox talking to Reds, Mets

[WestEddy]

2 minutes ago, Reyno45 said:

This, after signing Murakami it really made no sense to trade Robert. And if the Sox were to trade him for an underwhelming return and he explodes with a new team, I’ll speak for myself, I’d be pissed because we all knew what his potential is. 

Robert isn't part of the extended future of this team. I can understand moving any of the players on this roster (except Monty and Teel) for a return that sets the Sox up better than the traded player does. To me, keeping him makes more sense than trading him for a minor league bullpen arm.

[southsider2k5]

7 minutes ago, Reyno45 said:

This, after signing Murakami it really made no sense to trade Robert. And if the Sox were to trade him for an underwhelming return and he explodes with a new team, I’ll speak for myself, I’d be pissed because we all knew what his potential is. 

Here's the thing.  All of the teams who could use a Luis Robert are still very convinced that all it will take is a fairly mediocre offer to get him, and Chris Getz has done literally nothing publicly to dissuade teams and fans alike that Getz is either willing to move Robert, or needs to move Robert.  While it can be argued that the fans might not be in the best position to know what Chris Getz is willing to do, his fellow GMs sure have an opinion that doesn't match this at all./

[WestEddy]

12 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

Most GMs who sign players to keep them, make it clear to the marketplace, fans, and player that they are here to stay. 

They've pretty much stated their preference. One of the implied rigors of being paid $20M a year to play baseball is that the player may have to endure trade rumors. I trust that Getz is keeping Robert apprised of the market and the team's goals. 

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

2 hours ago, Reyno45 said:

This, after signing Murakami it really made no sense to trade Robert. And if the Sox were to trade him for an underwhelming return and he explodes with a new team, I’ll speak for myself, I’d be pissed because we all knew what his potential is. 

Yeah, now that the Sox have the *checks notes* 4th lowest payroll in baseball after the Murakami signing, they must really be all-in!

[Lukakke Appling]

14 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Yeah, now that the Sox have the *checks notes* 4th lowest payroll in baseball after the Murakami signing, they must really be all-in!

If I had imaginary notes I’d make them much more interesting. 

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

31 minutes ago, Lukakke Appling said:

If I had imaginary notes I’d make them much more interesting. 

Whatever that means...

If youre happy with the Sox payroll and think it signals an investment in winning then i can't help.

[Lukakke Appling]

6 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Whatever that means...

If youre happy with the Sox payroll and think it signals an investment in winning then i can't help.

Yeah, I didn’t say anything about their payroll. And actually neither did the other guy. I was just making fun of the *checks notes* thing. 

[Y2Jimmy0]

On 1/5/2026 at 7:42 PM, WestEddy said:

Interesting string where it's posited that the Mets need more international money to sign their whole class. 

 

 

 

 

On 1/5/2026 at 7:52 PM, southsider2k5 said:

Jimmy just reported the Sox are a week away from the new period and have a significant amount unaccounted for.

Sox have like $800K unaccounted for. It could easily be spent though. 

[SoCalChiSox]

46 minutes ago, Y2Jimmy0 said:

 

Sox have like $800K unaccounted for. It could easily be spent though. 

I'd rather use it to get a better return on Robert

[Chisoxfn]

15 minutes ago, SoCalChiSox said:

I'd rather use it to get a better return on Robert

You have to assess that vs last minute getting a guy because a team or two were over committed. 

[nrockway]

12 hours ago, WestEddy said:

Robert isn't part of the extended future of this team. I can understand moving any of the players on this roster (except Monty and Teel) for a return that sets the Sox up better than the traded player does. To me, keeping him makes more sense than trading him for a minor league bullpen arm.

I'm a LuBob fanboy to be sure, but I think he could be a part of this team on a new deal even if continues to hit, like, .680 OPS. His glove is too good and CF is too important of a defensive position. There's no clear replacement for him in the system. I like Ely Brown, but he's a 12th rounder who may or may not be up to the task, akin to Duke Ellis. If Marcelo Alcala keeps up the good work, maybe he's the guy, but he's only 19. We might hope to have a center fielder prior to 2030. Trent Grisham might be the only realistic FA option in 2027 to fill CF and I'm not sure I'd trust him to maintain his production.

You wouldn't want to pay him $20mil for his recent level of production and injury history, but I like him a lot better than Cedric Mullins at $7mil for example. Not many center fielders have his tools and ceiling. 

[greg775]

I think they will trade him in the next two weeks. But I think trading him is bad from a competition standpoint. The Sox have a few players you would now pay to see play that are in the everyday lineup. Taking Robert away weakens the team, period.

If the Sox could get creative and get something out of that pitching staff, they'd win the damn division.  But trading Robert just makes the Sox lousy on paper again.

[Chick Mercedes]

3 hours ago, greg775 said:

I think they will trade him in the next two weeks. But I think trading him is bad from a competition standpoint. The Sox have a few players you would now pay to see play that are in the everyday lineup. Taking Robert away weakens the team, period.

If the Sox could get creative and get something out of that pitching staff, they'd win the damn division.  But trading Robert just makes the Sox lousy on paper again.

You could just pretend he’s traded while he”s injured, and hitting .185 into June.

[hogan873]

3 hours ago, greg775 said:

I think they will trade him in the next two weeks. But I think trading him is bad from a competition standpoint. The Sox have a few players you would now pay to see play that are in the everyday lineup. Taking Robert away weakens the team, period.

If the Sox could get creative and get something out of that pitching staff, they'd win the damn division.  But trading Robert just makes the Sox lousy on paper again.

To me, the only bad thig about trading Robert now is he'd be dealt when his value is relatively low.  The return will be less than optimum and most likely wouldn't help the Sox in 2026.  However, do we really think Robert will be on this team beyond 2026?  I certainly don't.  If he plays well in 2026, and he isn't traded at the deadline, he'll get paid by some other team for 2027 and after.  If he struggles again, or is hurt again, he'll stick around all season and not be re-signed.

The best case scenario is the Sox hold onto him, he tears it up for the first half (and miraculously doesn't get hurt), and he gets traded for a nice return at the deadline.  Do we really see that happening?  History says it's unlikely.

[T R U]

3 hours ago, hogan873 said:

To me, the only bad thig about trading Robert now is he'd be dealt when his value is relatively low.  The return will be less than optimum and most likely wouldn't help the Sox in 2026.  However, do we really think Robert will be on this team beyond 2026?  I certainly don't.  If he plays well in 2026, and he isn't traded at the deadline, he'll get paid by some other team for 2027 and after.  If he struggles again, or is hurt again, he'll stick around all season and not be re-signed.

The best case scenario is the Sox hold onto him, he tears it up for the first half (and miraculously doesn't get hurt), and he gets traded for a nice return at the deadline.  Do we really see that happening?  History says it's unlikely.

I mean we've literally been trying to do this for 2 straight seasons now, you know what they say about the definition of insanity....

[WestEddy]

8 minutes ago, T R U said:

I mean we've literally been trying to do this for 2 straight seasons now, you know what they say about the definition of insanity....

Well, my thought (which somehow, turns into unconditional Getz love to the detractors) is that the asking price on Robert will be higher while there isn't a clear replacement on the team or in the system. Maybe if Baldwin or Pereira look competent in backup roles, the asking price on Robert drops in July. 

[southsider2k5]

15 minutes ago, T R U said:

I mean we've literally been trying to do this for 2 straight seasons now, you know what they say about the definition of insanity....

It's honestly kind of wild.  If you want him, you say you want him.  If you don't, you stay quiet, but you should KNOW his price by now, so this flailing in the middle of the lake is just crazy.

[hogan873]

15 minutes ago, T R U said:

I mean we've literally been trying to do this for 2 straight seasons now, you know what they say about the definition of insanity....

Yeah, expecting Robert to perform well while not blowing a hamstring for half a season is like banging your head against the wall and then wondering why you have a headache.

[WestEddy]

The White Sox have been pretty clear that they're not shopping Robert, but they'll listen. Are the White Sox supposed to declare that they will never, never, never trade Robert now that they have picked up his option, even if somebody waves a Crochet-like return in front of them? 

Nov 4:

“Obviously with the hamstring injury toward the end of the year, he missed some time,” Getz said. “But prior to that, with the adjustments he made going into the second half, that gave us confidence that this is someone we want to have in our lineup on a regular basis. We just need to find a way to get a productive six months of the season, and a lot of that is keeping him on the field.”

“We have a plan with performance,” Venable said. “We had it going into last year, we have it every year with Luis, understanding the risk [of] injury and really have a mindful plan with all of our players. Certainly, a heightened awareness of Luis and his injury history. We'll roll out a similar plan this year and make sure we're doing everything to put him in the best spot to be healthy and be productive.”

White Sox pick up 'game changer' Robert's $20M option for '26

Nov 20:

“It’s very truthful that we are not shopping him, because we’re very comfortable having him in a White Sox uniform, knowing what he’s capable of doing. Now if it makes sense for both parties to work out a deal, then so be it. But we’re planning on him being in uniform for us next year,” Getz said to Merkin.

Chicago White Sox aren’t ‘shopping’ their All-Star outfielder

[southsider2k5]

It's funny, because the rest of baseball sure doesn't believe it.

[WestEddy]

2 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

It's funny, because the rest of baseball sure doesn't believe it.

MLB off-seasons have become frustrating in how they play out. Are you suggesting the the White Sox declare that they will not trade Robert under any circumstances? Or do you think they should just take the best offer right now because ChiSoxFanMike is cranky?

[Chicago White Sox]

People are taking way too simplistic of a view on this.  They are certainly right in saying we have failed to cash in on Robert for two straight years.  And I fully get the skepticism that the third will be the charm.  However, Robert went through some drastic changes last year and may have turned a corner with the bat.  That doesn’t change the fact that he’s injury prone, but with half a season’s time it could address the other element that has impacted his value which is being a bad hitter.  Not saying the juice will be worth the squeeze ultimately, but the calculus is arguably different now than it was a year ago if you believe in his improvements.

All this being said, I’m not sure I see a better use of his $20M next year that doesn’t involve a significant long-term contract that Jerry won’t permit.  I’d rather roll the dice on Robert one last time, try to build some momentum with the positional group, and see where things stand in July.  If someone is willing give up real value for him right now, I’d certainly accept that offer.  But based on what have seen and heard so far this offseason, teams don’t appear to be willing to pay up for 2nd half Robert (or 75% of that guy) even if we include cash.  As such, we likely need to hold and hope he can be both healthy and productive.

[southsider2k5]

15 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

MLB off-seasons have become frustrating in how they play out. Are you suggesting the the White Sox declare that they will not trade Robert under any circumstances? Or do you think they should just take the best offer right now because ChiSoxFanMike is cranky?

I am saying Chris Getz is lying through his teeth when he talks about keeping Luis Robert, and the fact that the rest of baseball keeps talking about other MLB teams engaging in pretty healthy trade talks according to reporters who don't see their living depending on keeping the White Sox happy is a pretty clear confirmation of that.  We KNOW that Chris Getz will tell us whatever story is convenient at the time to sell to the general public, so I am not sure why we are taking what Getz tells to Merkin as gospel here. 

[WestEddy]

10 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I am saying Chris Getz is lying through his teeth when he talks about keeping Luis Robert, and the fact that the rest of baseball keeps talking about other MLB teams engaging in pretty healthy trade talks according to reporters who don't see their living depending on keeping the White Sox happy is a pretty clear confirmation of that.  We KNOW that Chris Getz will tell us whatever story is convenient at the time to sell to the general public, so I am not sure why we are taking what Getz tells to Merkin as gospel here. 

I'm going to get labeled as a Getz-lover, just because I'm trying to glean some sense from this. Can you tell me where the lie is here?

“It’s very truthful that we are not shopping him, because we’re very comfortable having him in a White Sox uniform, knowing what he’s capable of doing. Now if it makes sense for both parties to work out a deal, then so be it. But we’re planning on him being in uniform for us next year,”

Do teams generally announce that they intend to trade a player at all costs? I don't seem to remember that ever really happening. Should Chris Getz release his call logs to the press? What level of factual information do you think you're due? And are you saying that the White Sox shouldn't then trade Robert if they get their socks knocked off by a return offer? If you know something that we don't, it would be nice if you told us. 

[southsider2k5]

4 minutes ago, WestEddy said:

I'm going to get labeled as a Getz-lover, just because I'm trying to glean some sense from this. Can you tell me where the lie is here?

“It’s very truthful that we are not shopping him, because we’re very comfortable having him in a White Sox uniform, knowing what he’s capable of doing. Now if it makes sense for both parties to work out a deal, then so be it. But we’re planning on him being in uniform for us next year,”

Do teams generally announce that they intend to trade a player at all costs? I don't seem to remember that ever really happening. Should Chris Getz release his call logs to the press? What level of factual information do you think you're due? And are you saying that the White Sox shouldn't then trade Robert if they get their socks knocked off by a return offer? If you know something that we don't, it would be nice if you told us. 

"Glean" all you like.  You can try to turn this into playing around with the definition of "is" is type of garbage, but if Chris Getz is in pretty deep talks with the Reds and Mets, he is pretty actively looking to trade him, even if Chris Getz won't call it "shopping" so that Luis Robert can be Schrödinger's trade bait.  You can play games with the phrase "shopping" so that Chris Getz comes out immaculate in your scenario, but big picture, this is just playing the dupe again.  Getz will piss on us and call it a golden shower, doesn't mean that is accurate.