Chicago White Sox Activate $20M Option on Luis Robert Jr. NOW

BREAKING: The Chicago White Sox have officially decided to pick up the $20 million option on center fielder Luis Robert Jr.‘s contract for 2026, according to sources from ESPN. This urgent move signals the team’s commitment to retaining Robert despite recent struggles.

At just 27 years old, Robert had a challenging season in 2025, finishing with a batting average of only .223, alongside 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases in 110 games. While he has faced injuries and inconsistent performance over the past two years, his potential remains evident, particularly his significant reduction in strikeouts.

In 2023, Robert struck out 172 times, but that number dropped to 141 in 2024 and further decreased to just 112 last season. However, this improvement comes with a caveat: his home run production has also declined sharply. After achieving a total of 38 homers in 2023, Robert has managed only 28 combined over the last two seasons.

Despite being a frequent topic of trade discussions since the White Sox began their rebuilding phase in 2024, the team has been reluctant to accept lowball offers, hoping to leverage Robert’s prior successes. His .857 OPS in 2023 came after he played a career-high 145 games. In contrast, his OPS figures for 2024 and 2025 were .657 and .661, respectively, raising concerns about his long-term viability.

The White Sox also hold another $20 million option for Robert for 2027, underscoring the team’s strategic planning as they navigate through this rebuilding phase. The decision to retain Robert is not just about his current performance; it reflects the organization’s belief in his untapped potential and elite skill set.

As the offseason progresses, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts the White Sox’s roster and overall strategy for the upcoming season. Will Robert reclaim his form, or will the team pursue a trade in the future? Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.