White Sox’s surprising new Luis Robert Jr. trade plans revealed

For most of the season, it's been assumed that the Chicago White Sox will trade Luis Robert Jr. to the highest bidder.

That may not be the case anymore.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the White Sox have an alternative route. 

Here's what Olney wrote on Tuesday:

"It seems unlikely that Luis Robert Jr. -- once projected as a centerpiece of this deadline -- will be dealt, unless a team makes a big bet on a player who has either underperformed or been hurt this year. The White Sox could continue to wait on Robert's talent to manifest and his trade value to be restored by picking up his $20 million option for next year, which is hardly out of the question for a team with little future payroll obligation."

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That's essentially Olney saying that the White Sox can run this same situation back next year. It's not huge skin off their back to pay Robert his team option year.

Robert has heated up lately, so maybe that'll bring in slightly larger offers. But if he were to start next season well and be hitting .280 with 20 homers as the deadline approached, he could command a huge return in 2026.

It's a bit of a risk for the White Sox, of course. If Robert has fallen off permanently, then they may never recoup the value they want in a deal.

But at this point in the Chicago rebuild, it's probably better to take the risk than to sell low on a player with immense talent.

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