The Atlanta Braves may be eyeing a significant trade to solidify their outfield, with a proposal involving Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr.
Zach Presnell of Newsweek and Sports Illustrated recently suggested a potential deal where the Braves would send Bryce Elder, Nacho Alvarez, and David McCabe (ranked 13th in the Braves’ prospect system) to Chicago in exchange for Robert. However, this hypothetical package might fall short of what it would take to secure a player of Robert’s caliber.
Robert, coming off his worst professional season, posted a .224/.278/.379 slash line, an 84 wRC+, and a career-low 0.5 fWAR in 2024. His struggles included high strikeout rates and minimal walks, raising concerns about his reliability. Still, his 2023 performance paints a different picture: a .264/.315/.542 line, 38 home runs, 20 stolen bases, a 128 wRC+, and a career-high 4.9 fWAR, making him one of the top ten AL position players.
At 27, Robert remains a high-risk, high-reward asset. If he regains his All-Star form, Atlanta could secure a powerful outfield presence for years at a reasonable $15 million salary in 2025, with club options in subsequent seasons. If not, the Braves could move on without a long-term financial burden.
Given the White Sox’s historically poor 2024 season, Robert’s underperformance might be contextually linked. A change of scenery could reignite his potential, making him an intriguing, albeit risky, option for Atlanta’s outfield rebuild.
