The Chicago White Sox are banking on Luis Robert Jr. rebounding in 2026 after exercising his contract option on Tuesday.
Per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the White Sox picked up Robert’s $20 million option for next season.
Robert was the subject of trade speculation leading up to the July 31 deadline, but no deal came together. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted at the time that Chicago would consider picking up his option in the offseason.
It seemed like an odd decision given Robert’s struggles over the past two seasons. His age—he will play most of next season at the age of 28—and history of production offer optimism that he will turn things around.
The 2025 campaign was another rough one for Robert. He hit just .223/.297/.364 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI, but his speed was still top-notch with 33 stolen bases in 110 games.
Durability has been an issue for Robert throughout his career. The Cuban star has only played in more than 110 games in a season on one occasion. He played a total of 166 out of a possible 324 games between 2021 and 2022.
Last season, Robert was limited to 110 games due primarily to a hamstring injury.
As long as the White Sox can keep Robert healthy, this is a move that could pay off for them in 2026. They could also cash in by trading him during the season if he is playing well and they aren’t a playoff contender.
