The Chicago White Sox have a ‘really high’ price tag for Luis Robert trade, MLB teams have concerns

When the Chicago White Sox traded starter Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2024 season, All-Star outfielder Luis Robert immediately popped up in MLB rumors. Chicago kept him through an injury-plagued season and appears to remain adamant about demanding the price for him.

Two years ago, 27-year-old Robert was one of the most productive everyday players in baseball. He finished the 2023 season with career highs in doubles (36), home runs (38), RBI (80), steals (20) and WAR (5.1) with an OPS of .857. Even though the front office knew a rebuild was coming, Chicago didn’t accept that Robert was having the best season of his career.

Related: Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox in ‘extensive trade talks’ for All-Star

• Luis Robert contract (Spotrac): $15 million salary in 2025, $20 million club option for 2026, $20 million club option for 2027

The decision proved costly. Robert only played 100 games this season and was unable to play for almost two months due to a flexor muscle strain. After returning to the White Sox lineup, Robert never came close to repeating his success from the 2023 season and finished the year with the worst numbers of his major league career.

With All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet frequently mentioned in MLB rumors and widely expected to be traded this summer, Robert has attracted significantly less attention. Part of the reason for that appears to be the position the White Sox created and the way they still view their 27-year-old outfielder.

Related: MLB Insider Reveals Garrett Crochet Trade Cost from Chicago White Sox

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the White Sox would “preferably unload” Robert before trading Crochet. But while MLB teams love the outfielder’s pure talent, his inability to stay healthy and Chicago’s high price prevent a deal from being made.

“The guy is certainly intriguing, but they have a really high price for him. One has to hope that he finally stays healthy and can be the player everyone always imagined. But the White Sox are acting like he’s a big star center fielder and asking about their top prospects.”

Anonymous MLB general manager on Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert

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• Luis Robert stats (ESPN): .224/.278/.379, .657 OPS, 14 home runs, 23 stolen bases, 19 doubles

The White Sox appear to be asking the same sky-high price for Robert as they did last season, when he hit 48 home runs and played in 145 games. Even then, however, teams were very hesitant to meet this demand for a player who has only played more than 100 games once in his MLB career and has three seasons with an OPS below .800. Until Chicago lowers its demands, Robert will likely remain with the White Sox.