It's clear that, of the teams in the American League Central, the Chicago White Sox are the only definitive seller ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. The White Sox have been the doormat of the division for much of the last two seasons, and as they continue to move players off their Major League roster, conventional wisdom would suggest that is great news for the Minnesota Twins. That may not be the case for the next rumored trade the White Sox could make.
After failed attempts this offseason, the White Sox are expected to once again shop center fielder Luis Robert Jr. at the deadline. Francys Romero reports Robert is expected to draw interest from teams at the deadline, mentioning the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies as potential suitors.
Once knocking on the door of becoming baseball's next superstar, Robert's offensive production has taken a nose dive this season. Robert is hitting under .200 this season, with a wRC+ well below the 100 mark. In other words, a completely unrecognizable version of the player who had a slash line of .264/.315/.542 with the White Sox in 2023 to go along with 38 home runs and a 128 wRC+.
Luis Robert Jr. has been the opposite of a Twins' enemy
If that were the version of Robert who was leaving the division, there would be reason for Twins fans to rejoice. However, going beyond the overall struggles that Robert is having right now, the Twins have always had his number. In 165 plate appearances against the Twins throughout his career, Robert is slashing .185/.244/.384 with 7 home runs. In other words, the Twins have had Robert's number.
If Robert gets traded to the Mariners, he could have an indirect impact on the Twins' postseason chances. For the Mariners, their path to the postseason is increasingly looking to be through the Wild Card. As of Wednesday, the Mariners were two games behind the Twins for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. However, in order for there to be an impact, Robert would need to prove he can turn his offensive woes around.