Luis Robert Jr. Trade Buzz Refuses to Fade as Phillies Seek Outfield Help
It’s June and that means trade rumors are heating up. And like clockwork, Luis Robert Jr. is once again being linked to the Philadelphia Phillies.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has reignited speculation by listing Robert Jr. as a potential fit for Philly ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. It’s not the first time his name has come up in connection with the Phillies the chatter started back in 2023 during his breakout All-Star campaign with the Chicago White Sox. But with the price tag sky-high at the time, no deal materialized.
Now, with Robert struggling at the plate and fresh off an injury-plagued season (only 100 games played in 2024), the trade chatter is back and possibly louder than ever.
A Buy-Low Opportunity?
This season, Robert is slashing a career-worst .192/.275/.306, with just 6 home runs and 28 RBIs. His 31.3% strikeout rate puts him near the bottom of the league. But there’s a catch: advanced metrics suggest some of his struggles may be due to bad luck. His expected batting average (.237) and expected slugging (.402) paint a slightly more optimistic picture. Meanwhile, his 43.7% hard-hit rate is his best since 2021, and he’s still a speed threat with 22 stolen bases fourth-most in the majors.
Should the Phillies Pull the Trigger?
With center field still one of Philly’s biggest needs, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden notes the Phillies are expected to be active shoppers. And while Robert Jr. is far from his 2023 form, his elite defense, base-stealing ability, and long-term control (club options in 2026 and 2027 at $20 million apiece) could make him an appealing target if the price is right.
That’s the real question: Is it worth spending valuable prospects on a struggling bat? If the White Sox lower their asking price, the deal could be a smart long-term gamble for the Phillies. But if they stick to 2023-level demands, the front office may be better off exploring more consistent offensive options.
The Phillies need outfield help badly. Luis Robert Jr. might not be the cleanest fix, but he’s still on the radar. Whether or not Dave Dombrowski pulls the trigger will depend on how far the White Sox are willing to drop their asking price. And until then, don’t expect these rumors to go away anytime soon.
