The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of a major reconstruction, and their MLB-worst 17-51 record this year has made it clear that they will be out of contention for at least a few seasons. The Cleveland Luis Robert Jr Guardians, a division rival, are probably going to be very interested in the chance to add All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. to their roster as the July 30 trade deadline draws near. The White Sox are anticipated to consider offers on a long list of their best players as they continue to build for the future.
On June 7, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report proposed a deal in which he stated that the Guardians might acquire Robert by assembling a group of three elite prospects.
Guardians are given: OF The White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. receives: OF Jaison Chourio (Guardians No. 3, MLB No. 97), 2B Juan Brito (Guardians No. 4), 1B Kyle Manzardo (Guardians No. 2, MLB No. 60), and
Center Field ‘A Candidate for a Better Hitter’ As Guardians Aim For Playoff Berth
With a 43-22 record as of June 12, the Guardians are fourth in MLB, just after the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles, and they are leading the AL Central. If they can sustain their present pace, the Guardians, who are now behind their closest division foe, the Kansas City Royals, by 5.5 games, should make it into the playoffs.
Tyler Freeman, the center fielder for the Guardians, is scorching in his third season in the majors.223/.318/.371, six home runs, and a.689 OPS. Robert taking over as the starting center fielder may undoubtedly enhance the position, which Rymer says is “a candidate for a better hitter if the Guardians seek to lengthen their lineup.”
The Guardians are ranked 10th in OPS (0.719) and slugging (0.400) but fourth in MLB in team runs per game (5.08) according to TeamRankings. The bulk of the team’s home runs this season have come from José Ramírez and Josh Naylor, who have each hit 18 and 17, respectively. Steven Kwan has been making up ground after missing time due to injury with a batting average of.380, but adding another power hitter to the lineup should be the team’s top priority if they hope to play well into October.
Robert’s Ongoing Injury Issues
Although Robert’s current slashline of.182/.237/.491 doesn’t seem like an upgrade for the Guardians on paper, the 26-year-old is one of the top players in MLB when healthy. After sustaining a right hip flexor injury on April 5, Robert was placed on the injured list for two months. However, he quickly made a comeback to the White Sox lineup on June 5, hitting three home runs in six games.
Robert’s career-high 38 home runs and.264/.315/.542 slash line from the previous season earned him a berth in the All-Star Game and his first Silver Slugger Award. He crushed.284/.319/.426 in 2022. Robert’s lengthy history of injuries—he has been placed on the injured list seven times since making his MLB debut in 2020—is the one thing that a team wanting to recruit him would be concerned about. However, Robert would undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the Guardians’ hitting lineup and maybe the difference-maker in clinching a postseason run if they can manage to keep him healthy.
Rymer noted, “Robert could be useful in holding off the Royals.” Given his success at Kauffman Stadium, it’s hardly unexpected that he has hit nine home runs against them, more than any other club.
