Surprise NL Team Predicted to Land $50 Million Slugger in Blockbuster Trade
Now that starting pitcher Garrett Crochet plays for the Boston Red Sox, outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is the biggest remaining trade chip for the Chicago White Sox. Rumors have been flying all offseason without a trade getting done. Could the Pittsburgh Pirates swoop in and make something happen? The 27-year-old slugger had an underwhelming 2024. He hit .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs, 19 doubles, 35 RBI, 47 runs scored, and 23 steals in 425 plate appearances. However, Robert isn’t far removed from a breakout campaign in 2023. He posted career-high marks in homers (38), doubles (36), RBI (80), and runs scored (90) while being named an All-Star and winning his first Silver Slugger Award. Robert lasting with the White Sox for the entire upcoming season seems unlikely. What might the Pirates have to surrender to land the right-handed slugging outfielder? Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter cooked up the following hypothetical swap:
“He (Robert) would join Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz to form one of the better offensive outfields in baseball and give Pirates fans a reason to believe the front office is serious about making the jump from rebuilding to contending,” Reuter wrote.
What could be an attractive part of this trade for Pittsburgh is that acquiring Robert doesn’t carry a significant financial commitment. He’s entering the final guaranteed season of a six-year, $50 million deal and will earn $15 million in 2025. His contract also includes two club options for 2026 and 2027, both valued at $20 million. The Pirates only have to commit to Robert for one year at a time. If they want to cut ties, declining either of his options would come with a $2 million buyout.
The San Francisco Giants made a huge splash earlier this offseason by signing shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract. Could president of baseball operations Buster Posey put a bow on his first offseason in charge by trading for Seattle Mariners ace Luis Castillo?
Castillo is entering the third season of a five-year, $108 million contract in 2025. The three-time All-Star has been consistently productive since the start of 2022. He’s posted a 33-27 record with a 3.34 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 561 strikeouts over his last 522 2/3 innings pitched.
