Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has heard speculations that he could be dealt.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is focusing on what he can control right now. The White Sox are said to want to trade him before the MLB trade deadline. As rumors circulate, Robert assures that he is solely focused on baseball.
“Everybody has been texting me, asking about that, all those rumors,” Robert Jr. stated through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. “This is beyond my control. I’d like to stay here, but if the team decides differently, I’ll have to continue playing baseball. I have to do whatever I have to do, whether it’s here or not.
Robert is striving to get his squad out of a terrible slump. Chicago has a 17-50 record this season, including the worst road record in MLB.
Robert Jr’s season in Chicago
Robert hasn’t had a fantastic season so far. The outfielder, like nearly everyone on the team, is suffering at the plate. Robert has a.192 batting average as of Tuesday, with only two hits in his last five games. He has five home runs this season, and his totals are expected to be significantly lower than in previous years.
Chicago is also on course to record its worst offensive season in team history. The squad is attempting to rebound from a 100-loss season in 2023, but things appear to be even worse this year. The squad has only five road wins, the league’s poorest record. The team also had a 14-game losing run at one time. The White Sox are also on course for Major League Baseball’s worst run differential in years.
Robert may be leaving shortly owing to these issues. The White Sox are said to seek to trade him for many guys, similar to what the San Diego Padres did in 2022 with Juan Soto. That was an eight-player trade, and something similar might happen this year for Chicago.
“This is the only team I’ve been on, and this is all I know. I enjoy the fans. I like the city. Moving to another team would be like starting over,” Robert explained. “I’m not prepared for that.”
Other White Sox issues
The White Sox are also suffering with ailments. Tommy Pham and Eloy Jimenez are also sidelined and aren’t expected to return until at least mid-June. The squad has faced one barrier after another and appears to be light years away from competing with the American League’s best teams. Robert may be placing all of the emphasis on himself to save this squad every night.
However, the club is not making any hasty managerial changes. Despite the concerns, the team is unlikely to remove manager Pedro Grifol in the middle of the season. Grifol has come under fire from numerous pundits and supporters, including former manager Ozzie Guillen.
The White Sox will strive to win when they meet the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. The first pitch is slated for 9:40 Eastern. Robert will undoubtedly do everything he can to aid his club.
