Another Seattle Mariners Trade Target is Reportedly Off the Board
With the trade deadline just under 24 hours from now, another target is reportedly off the board for the Seattle Mariners.
According to Cuban Baseball Insider Francys Romerto, the Chicago White Sox are unlikely to trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
Hearing that the White Sox are unlikely to trade Luis Robert Jr. at this point, according to sources.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) July 29, 2024
The Mariners had been connected to Robert Jr. frequently at the beginning of rumor season, but those rumors subsided over the last few weeks. Seattle did get Randy Arozarena in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last week, rendering a trade for Robert Jr. less likely as well.
Since Robert Jr. is under team control through 2027, the White Sox were never forced to trade him this season. They could wait until the offseason or until next trade deadline as well. Robert Jr. is hitting just .210 with 12 homers and 24 RBI. He's stolen 13 bases and also missed significant time with an injury that was suffered early in April.
A strong second-half push would make Robert Jr. more attractive to multiple buyers in the offseason. An All-Star a season ago, Robert Jr. hit 38 homers. The White Sox have already traded starting pitcher Erick Fedde and reliever Michael Kopech. They've also dealt outfielder Tommy Pham and are expected to trade more pieces, even if one is not Robert Jr.
As for the Mariners, they appear to still want to add offense before the deadline, though it's unclear where exactly they will find it at this point. With Robert Jr. not moving, the biggest name out there is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but the Blue Jays look unlikely to trade him as well.
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