The Cincinnati Reds have "checked in on" outfielder Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox in an effort to upgrade their outfield, both on defense and on offense. The Reds have already shored up their rotation by trading for right-hander Brady Singer last month but would like to fill the void left on offense with the departure of Jonathan India. The team has Matt McLain set to return from injury, so they are looking to the outfield, and Robert fits the bill. It would be costly, as the Reds would have to pay his $15 million salary, but the 27-year-old is a former All-Star and Gold Glove award winner. The right-handed hitter has played more than 100 games in a season just once since debuting in 2020. In 2024, the Cuban played 100 games on the nose after a hip-flexor strain caused him to miss about two months. He finished with a .224/.278/.379 slash line with 14 home runs but was able to set a new career high in stolen bases with 23 despite the lengthy absence. If he's able to stay healthy for a full season, he could be a strong multi-category contributor for fantasy in 2025.
ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the perception of some MLB teams is that the Chicago White Sox are intent on trading outfielder Luis Robert Jr. this offseason, which could be an indication that the White Sox want to cash out on Robert's diminished value now instead of waiting and seeing his value drop even further if he struggles again in the first half of 2025. Robert will make $15 million in 2025 with $20 million club options in 2025 and 2026. "If they really believed he would bounce back, wouldn't you hang onto him until next summer and look for him to rebuild his value?" asked one rival official. More injuries limited the 27-year-old to 100 games in 2024, and he hit just .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs and a strikeout rate over 30%. It's a big if for Robert staying healthy in 2025, but if he does and the White Sox hold him, he could bounce back nicely and fetch high-end prospects in a trade. It's a big risk.
The Chicago White Sox have a very high price tag on outfielder Luis Robert Jr. in trade discussions this offseason and don't think they are overreaching, according to a source briefed on their thinking. "I don't think they understand what his value is," an MLB executive said. Chicago isn't asking for multiple prospects but do want a "meaningful piece" in return. The 27-year-old is no doubt physically gifted, but he's played in over 100 games just once in the past four seasons back in 2023, when he clubbed 38 long balls, had an .857 OPS and finished 12th in the American League in MVP voting. But outside of that season, he has struggled to stay healthy and was out from April 6 to June 4 with a hip-flexor strain in 2024. He's guaranteed $15 million in 2025 and has $20 million club options for 2025 and 2026. The shortage of center field options and quality bats has kept interest in Robert high.
Luis Robert Jr. Returns To Starting Nine In Season Finale
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (ribs) is returning to the starting nine in the final game of the 2024 season. Robert was kept out of the lineup for the past two games due to soreness in his rib cage. The 27-year-old will cover center field and bat in the two-hole. After hitting a career-high 38 home runs last season, the outfielder took a significant step back this summer as he has hit only 14 with a modest .224/.279/.381 slash line. He will face Detroit right-hander Kenta Maeda who enters Sunday's tilt with a hefty 5.93 ERA which makes Robert a solid play in DFS.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (rib cage) remains out of the action for Saturday's tilt at Comerica Park against the division-rival Detroit Tigers. Robert will be missing his second straight game due to soreness in his rib cage. It remains to be seen if he'll be feeling good enough to give it a go in the season finale on Sunday. Dominic Fletcher will make another start in center field and will hit seventh against Tigers right-handed opener Beau Brieske. Fletcher, 27, should be avoided as a deep sleeper in DFS lineups with his .209/.258/.260 slash line on the year in 215 at-bats. He has cleared the fences just once and driven in 16 on the year. If Robert doesn't play again this year, the Cuban slugger will finish with a .224/.279/.381 slash line with a weak .661 OPS, 14 home runs, 35 RBI and 22 stolen bases in his 388 at-bats. The 27-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2023 when he hit a career-high 38 homers, but that is looking like an outlier.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (rib cage) is dealing with some soreness in his rib-cage area and is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The injury isn't considered serious, though, and he could return on Saturday for the second game of the series. Dominic Fletcher will make the start in center field on Friday and will hit ninth for the Pale Hose against Tigers right-hander Brenan Hanifee. Fletcher will be a deep DFS sleeper to avoid on Friday, as the 27-year-old outfielder has gone 44-for-212 (.208) on the year with just one home run and 16 RBI. After making his first All-Star appearance in 2023, Robert has hit a career-low .227 (88-for-388) this year. He has managed a career-high 22 stolen bases while also contributing 14 home runs and just 36 RBI for a terrible White Sox team.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) is starting in center field and is batting second on Friday against the Boston Red Sox and right-hander Nick Pivetta at Fenway Park. Robert is back in action following an off day on Thursday after he was removed from Wednesday's contest early with tightness in his right hamstring. The 27-year-old has always provided intriguing power/speed upside, but he's given fantasy managers very little else on the worst team in baseball in 2024. The Cuban outfielder has provided 14 homers and 21 stolen bases in 319 at-bats, but it's also come with a .219 average, .274 on-base percentage and just 34 RBI. In 11 career at-bats against Pivetta, Robert has hit .182 with an RBI. Since the All-Star break, Robert has hit .203/.232/.304 with a .536 OPS, just three home runs, 11 RBI, five walks and 61 strikeouts in 39 games.
Luis Robert Jr. Leaves Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Injury
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) left Wednesday's game early due to a tight hamstring, according to Vinnie Duber of CHGO Sports. It appeared the outfielder suffered the injury sometime when running the bases in the sixth inning. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding the star outfielder before their game on Friday evening against the Boston Red Sox. Before the injury, Robert was in the midst of a 4-for-31 slump after posting a strong .381/.385/.548 line through the early part of August. Even though the 27-year-old has had a disappointing season, fantasy managers playing in five-outfielder leagues should still slot him back into their lineups for the remainder of the summer.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert and first baseman Andrew Vaughn are both out of the starting lineup on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. It appears to be a normal day of rest for both players to start a new week. Robert had started each of the team's last seven games. Zach DeLoach is drawing into the White Sox's lineup in right field and will bat sixth, while Gavin Sheets will handle first base and will bat cleanup against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. Corey Julks is serving as the designated hitter and will bat in the two-hole. Sheets is probably the most attractive DFS sleeper for his power, but he hasn't recorded a hit in six career at-bats against Burnes. Robert has an attractive power/speed combination for fantasy managers (14 homers and 21 steals), but he's hitting just .219 (68-for-311) on the year and is on the worst team in baseball.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. had a big day at the plate in Friday's 5-4 win over the Astros. The 27-year-old went 4-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored in the contest. It was a much-needed breakout that comes on the heels of a brutal 22-game stretch in which he went 12-for-89 (.135) with just one home run. It has been a disappointing season for the Cuban after he made the All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger award in 2023, now with a .212-14-31-30-17 line through 66 games after missing two months of the season with an injury. The good news is that he's collected a hit in three straight games and August is his second-best month batting average and OPS-wise over the course of his career so this run could have legs, although the bad news is that September is by far his worst.
Luis Robert Jr.
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White Sox
