More than a year after trade talks went nowhere for center fielder Luis Robert Jr., sources say the Cincinnati Reds have re-engaged talks with the Chicago White Sox on the former All-Star who has struggled with injuries and more recent performance issues
Robert, who won a Gold Glove as a rookie and two years later hit 38 home runs during his 2023 All-Star season, is under contract for $20 million in 2026 with a 2027 club option for $20 million ($2 million buyout clause).
The White Sox, who also have been connected to the Mets in trade talks for Robert, are said to be willing to eat maybe half the 2026 salary.
The Reds have little flexibility in their 2026 payroll budget, which team officials have said is about the same as their 2025 payroll level.
That was a major sticking point in their five-year offer to hometown free agent Kyle Schwarber, forcing the Reds to get creative in structuring the first year of the offer (deferrals/backloads).
It’s also a factor in why a trade now might be a better fit for the Reds than a year ago – when they declined Chicago’s overtures because of the multi-year cost vs. Robert’s inability to stay on the field consistently and his recent underperformance.
With the Reds coming off a playoff berth under first-year manager Terry Francona and in desperate need of an impact bat on a limited budget, this might be one of the Reds’ best shots at a significant upside play on a short-term commitment.
The White Sox have sought young players and near-ready prospects in trade talks, and the Reds have a deep reserve of young pitchers with at least some big-league experience, such as Chase Petty and a pair of starters now healthy after missing a year with Tommy John surgery: right-hander Julian Aguiar and lefty Brandon Williamson.
The downside of Robert, 28, remains the injuries that have limited him to 100 and 110 games in the two seasons since his All-Star season, including a hamstring injury that cost him the final two months of 2025.
He hit .224 and .223 the past two seasons, hitting 14 homers each, with a combined .659 OPS over the two years.
If he’s healthy and productive, he substantially improves the Reds’ outfield defense and offense, with TJ Friedl likely moving to a corner and Robert dropping into the lineup behind All-Star Elly De La Cruz – immediately becoming the most dangerous protection behind the Reds’ star.