Entering the year with a young core brimming with potential, there was hope the Chicago White Sox, led by Luis Robert Jr., could improve upon their 81-win season from 2022. Now that we’re more than halfway through the year, with the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline approaching fast, the playoff hopes are gone.
Now there are rumors pointing to the White Sox becoming sellers, with Ken Rosenthal reporting Chicago is “willing to listen” to trade offers for “everyone on their roster,” including Luis Robert Jr. and Dylan Cease to name a few.
While Rosenthal’s report indicates everyone may be on the negotiation table, he also points out their intent to compete in 2024, meaning any offer for Robert likely has to blow their Sox off. Trading Cease, a former Cy Young finalist, may require an extremely strong offer too, considering the pitcher won’t be set for free agency for at least two more seasons.
The White Sox haven’t shown any hesitancy to sell just yet. However, most of their trades have consisted of shedding players on an expiring contract instead of potential long-term members of their core. Robert and Cease could just as easily remain as franchise cornerstones for years to come.
If a team is eager to try and land a new ace, or a 25-year-old center-fielder like Luis Robert, their time is running out with the 6 PM ET trade deadline creating a greater sense of urgency. Meanwhile, the Sox can simply just choose to continue building around their stars without an offer too good to refuse.
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