In Main League Baseball, a number of moments make followers pause. Nonetheless, this time, it was not the numbers that made individuals cease to look; it was honesty from a Chicago White Sox participant. A veteran standing in entrance of a number of reporters didn’t sugarcoat something. He solely stated what others had been whispering about him. “Proper now, as my season goes, I don’t assume anybody goes to take an opportunity on me.”
These phrases didn’t come from a journeyman. They got here from Luis Robert Jr., the centerpiece of the Chicago White Sox’s final rebuild. And he is without doubt one of the few remaining stars after Dylan Stop and Garrett Crochet exited. Only a 12 months or two in the past, he was the man with sky-high potential and a $50 million deal. Now he’s the one looking for his swing and possibly his confidence. However this self-doubt is comprehensible.
Robert’s 2025, in spite of everything, hasn’t impressed commerce buzz. Getting into Tuesday’s recreation, he was hitting simply .186 and had an OPS below .600. He, for certain, swiped 17 bases, however his at-bats weren’t precisely nice. The Chicago White Sox had hoped he could be red-hot, however they nonetheless are ready for that spark. Nonetheless, Robert’s phrases didn’t go unnoticed.
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Former MLB All-Star Todd Frazier chimed in, speaking about all the fiasco. And he didn’t mince his phrases when speaking about Luis Robert Jr’s self-doubt confession. “I really feel like he’s chucking up the sponge right here. I’m not a giant fan of that quote. How about saying, ‘I do know I’m struggling, however I’m one at-bat away from getting my thoughts proper’?”
Frazier’s recommendation didn’t cease there. “He’s a assured man. I imagine he’s going to get again on observe… You’re within the massive leagues for a cause. That’s a part of it—you’re going to wrestle. The psyche up right here, you must be mentally robust.”
Robert, for his half, although, has all the time been an open e book. He by no means shies away from talking his thoughts. Even throughout the spring coaching, he brazenly stated he didn’t count on to be on the Chicago White Sox staff by opening day.
However the query is, whereas honesty is tremendously admired, it is likely to be hurting Robert’s probabilities of getting traded. As a result of insecurity is a big factor. The expertise is there, the pace is there, however until the mindset shifts, the commerce market might stay quiet. And so possibly Robert must flip the mindset earlier than flipping his season.
The Chicago White Sox’s commerce deadline hopes are crumbling
The Chicago White Sox received’t simply have hassle with Luis Robert’s commerce worth cratering. As a result of when you look across the roster, you’ll discover it exhausting to see any veteran enjoying nicely sufficient to begin a bidding warfare for the Sox. This season, although, was not about competing within the low season for them.
After they misplaced over 100 video games in 2024, they took a conservative route, loading up on one-year offers. The Chicago White Sox had been hoping a couple of bounce-back tales would flip the commerce deadline to gold, however alas, that appears too far-fetched now.
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Surprisingly, although, the very best transfer got here from a easy money deal they did with the Chicago Cubs. Matt Thaiss is the veteran catcher they obtained, and he has been essentially the most priceless addition for the White Sox. Positive, he’s barely simply hitting above Mendoza’s line, however general, his on-base proportion is nice. If anybody within the staff has some commerce worth, it’s simply him.
As for the remaining, they’re struggling.
Nick Maton didn’t final. Bobby Dalbec and Travis Jankowski have fizzled. Josh Rojas performs a number of positions however hardly touches the ball. Even the bullpen is in the identical boat, with Cam Booser unable to lock issues down. Mike Clevinger is again in Triple-A, and Martin Perez’s elbow gave out. And nicely, Luis Robert Jr., after all, is batting below .200 and nowhere close to the 38-homer power from 2023.
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So now, if the Chicago White Sox had been hoping to flip veterans for different prospects in July, they want a brand new plan. Solely Matt Thaiss is likely to be their commerce chip—nobody else…