The Chicago White Sox finally pulled the trigger on a Luis Robert Jr. trade, sending the center fielder to the New York Mets for infielder Luisangel Acuña and pitcher Truman Pauley.
Teams have been calling about Robert for two seasons now, but Chicago kept saying no. That’s changed.
Robert’s got the tools – exciting in center field with a bat that can do damage. But he’s battled injuries and inconsistent stretches, maybe partly because of the losing environment on the South Side. The ceiling’s still there, though.
Some analysts figured the White Sox would hold onto him until the trade deadline to boost his value. This deal caught people off guard.
What Chicago Gets Back
With Robert out, Acuña gets his shot. He’s out of minor league options, so he’ll stick with the big club and play wherever they need him – outfield, second base, third base.
Acuña’s focused on maximizing his playing time. During a Wednesday morning interview with MLB.com, he made it clear he’s ready to contribute:
“The most important thing for me is to help the team in any capacity they need me to, and I’m open to whatever they ask me to [do].”
That’s exactly the mindset White Sox fans want to hear.
Moving on from Robert also frees up payroll space. Chicago could still use starting rotation help, and with Acuña’s infield versatility, they might look for another outfield option too.
Expect the White Sox to fill at least one of those holes in the coming weeks. They’ve got the financial flexibility now to make it happen.
