Chicago White Sox Confirm $20 Million Option for Luis Robert Jr.

UPDATE: The Chicago White Sox have officially confirmed they are picking up the $20 million option on center fielder Luis Robert Jr. for the 2026 season, sources report to ESPN. This crucial decision comes as the team navigates a rebuilding phase that began in 2024.

Robert, 27, struggled last season, hitting just .223 with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases across 110 games. Despite these challenges, he has shown resilience by significantly reducing his strikeouts, dropping from 172 in 2023 to just 112 last season.

While Robert’s strikeout numbers have improved, his home run production has suffered. After a breakout season in 2023 where he hit 38 home runs, he has managed only 28 over the last two seasons combined. This inconsistency has kept him in the spotlight of trade discussions, but the White Sox have been hesitant to let him go without receiving a substantial return, referencing his past performance.

“Robert had an impressive .857 OPS in 2023 after playing a career-high 145 games,” an insider noted. “However, he hasn’t been able to replicate that success, limiting trade offers.”

As his 6-year, $50 million contract comes to an end, the White Sox also hold another option for 2027, signaling their commitment to Robert despite the ups and downs. The team’s management believes in the potential of the talented center fielder, who still possesses an elite skill set.

Looking ahead, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the White Sox plan to utilize Robert in their strategy moving forward. Will they continue to build around him, or will they seek to leverage his talent in a trade for broader team improvement?

Stay tuned for further updates as the MLB offseason progresses and the White Sox continue to reshape their roster.