The Los Angeles Dodgers want to put together the most invincible superteam in baseball history. After acquiring Blake Snell, they have enough money to pursue Juan Soto, but they are projected to fall short of him. As a complement to Soto, the Dodgers are said to be strongly involved in the trade market for Chicago White Sox star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Robert has one year left on his contract before it becomes subject to club options in 2026 and 2027. Both club options are worth $20 million per season. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Dodgers are unlikely to sign Robert. Instead, Bowden recently claimed that the outfielder could be signed by the Cincinnati Reds, a small market team.
“The Reds could use one more bat in the middle of their lineup, and Robert, who has three years of team control, would be an ideal fit.” Bowden stated, “He would solve center field for Cincinnati in the long run, and his power would play well in the small confines of Great American Ball Park.” “Robert is coming off a down year in which he dealt with nagging injuries and opposing teams had no reason to pitch to him because he had no protection in the White Sox lineup.” In 2023, he batted.264/.315/.542, with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases in 24 tries.
Robert joining the Reds almost makes too much sense. Chicago is apparently seeking position player prospects in exchange for its stars. Cincinnati’s infield is crowded with Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Sal Stewart, Cam Collier, Elly De La Cruz, and a slew of other promising infielders in the farm system. The Reds might trade a major leaguer like Marte and a prospect or two to get Robert to Cincinnati. Cincinnati fans may not want another high strikeout hitter, but with Robert’s power and speed, it’s difficult not to see the potential.
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