Over the past year and a half, there hasn’t been a player linked more to the Philadelphia Phillies than Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
Instead of the Phillies trading for him, they’ve allowed Robert to stay with the White Sox, trying to fill that need with other, small moves. With Max Kepler, Austin Hays, and others, the Phillies clearly haven’t found the perfect option.
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It’s also fair to question whether Robert would be that guy, as he isn’t as good as some have suggested. Regardless of some of his injuries, it isn’t exactly like Robert is on the field and plays at the highest level. He’s currently hitting .186 with 47 strikeouts in 129 at-bats, and his career numbers haven’t been excellent.
He’s a career 114 OPS+ hitter, which is good, but it isn’t like he’s one of the elite players in Major League Baseball.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Regardless, he’d be better on the Phillies than on a different team. The Phillies need help in the outfield, and there’s no denying that.
However, according to a recent report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Mets are now interested in landing him.
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“The Chicago White Sox finally are starting to get some inquiries on center fielder Luis Robert with the New York Mets recently among the teams checking in and showing interest,” Nightengale wrote.
The Phillies’ farm system is better than the Mets, but it remains uncertain which prospects either side would want to give up in a potential deal for Robert, who the White Sox are hoping to get a massive deal for.
If the Phillies want him, they could land him. However, if the Mets are stronger suitors and do what it takes to trade for him, Philadelphia could be in a weird spot.
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