The Braves could potentially solidify their outfield with a blockbuster deal with the White Sox…should they do it?
It’s mock trade season, and the Atlanta Braves have been at the center of plenty of roster speculation. One recent trade suggestion has the Braves making a big move with the White Sox.
Zach Presnell of Newsweek and SI recently proposed a deal that would send White Sox star Luis Robert Jr. to Atlanta to strengthen their outfield. In this scenario, the Braves would trade Bryce Elder, Nacho Alvarez, and David McCabe (the Braves’ 13th-ranked prospect) to Chicago.
While the thinking behind this trade is understandable, it’s likely the Braves would need to offer more than just this package. Additionally, Chicago would be selling Robert Jr. at a low point, as he just had his worst season by fWAR. Still, it’s worth considering whether acquiring Robert Jr. is a smart move for the Braves or one that GM Alex Anthopoulos should steer clear of.
Trading for Robert Jr. has high risk/high reward potential
Given Luis Robert Jr.’s talent, any trade for him would likely require the Braves to offer top-tier prospects to Chicago. This is the risk involved in the deal. However, at his best, Robert could provide a long-term solution to Atlanta’s outfield.
On the other hand, Robert Jr. could struggle to bounce back from his disappointing 2024 season. Last year, he posted a .224/.278/.379 slash line, an 84 wRC+, and a career-low 0.5 fWAR. His high strikeout rate and low walk rate contributed to his poor numbers, and if his performance doesn’t improve, it could be difficult for the Braves to justify trading valuable assets for underwhelming production.
That said, considering Robert Jr.’s potential and his past achievements, his chances of rebounding seem more likely. Just a few seasons ago, he was an All-Star and had the best year of his career.
In 2023, Robert slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 20 stolen bases, a 128 wRC+, ranked in the 98th percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA), and posted a career-high 4.9 fWAR. That fWAR placed him in the top ten among qualified American League position players.
Luis Robert Jr. is also set to earn $15 million in 2025, with club options for $20 million in both 2026 and 2027. If he regains his 2023 form, that price tag would be a great value for the production he could provide. However, if he doesn’t bounce back, the Braves could move on after just one season, avoiding a long-term financial commitment to underperformance.
At 27 years old, Robert Jr. remains a bit of an enigma. His 2024 season was disappointing, but it’s crucial to consider that the White Sox had one of the worst teams in modern baseball last year. With that context, it’s easier to understand why Robert might have appeared less motivated at times during a challenging season.
The Braves attempted to address their outfield with a “lottery ticket” approach last offseason by acquiring Jarred Kelenic. A trade for Robert Jr. would offer fans greater confidence that left field could once again become a consistent source of production for Atlanta.
