News broke late Tuesday night that the Chicago White Sox had finally found a trade partner for outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
Robert was sent to the New York Mets in exchange for primary second baseman Luisangel Acuna and minor league arm Truman Pauley. Chicago's efforts to trade Robert, a one-time All-Star, began at the trade deadline in 2024.
He is just three seasons removed from hitting 38 home runs and posting a 5.8 bWAR in 145 games. However, trips to the injured list have been a recurring issue.
ESPN's Bradford Doolittle gave the Mets a C+ grade for the trade, instead praising the White Sox for what they managed to accomplish.
White Sox given an A-grade for the Robert trade
There are several ways this trade can pan out for the White Sox. Acuna may need to accept a position change because of the plethora of up-and-coming infielders Chicago has, including shortstop Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth.
"The beauty of this deal for Chris Getz's White Sox is that not only does it add yet another high-level prospect to his organizational depth chart -- someone who will help the team this season at the big league level -- but he landed him without having to eat any of what's left on Robert's contract," Doolittle wrote Wednesday.
Pauley may never have a significant impact at the Major League level. But getting rid of Robert's contract was crucial.
"Robert's trade value was always hard to pin down because of the awkward combination of obvious warts and sizable salary. Getting Acuna as the long-awaited outcome of this trade drama is a fine outcome," added Doolittle.
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