May 24, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) celebrates after hitting a double against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Could Phillies Finally Make Blockbuster Move for White Sox Superstar this Season?

Originally posted on Philadelphia Phillies on SI
By Jacob Moss | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 1:00 PM ET

As summer begins to heat up and the MLB season rolls along, the Philadelphia Phillies once again find themselves amongst the best teams in all of baseball. Current holders of a 36-22 record, the Phillies are locked in a tight early battle with the New York Mets for NL East supremacy.

Boasting arguably the best rotation in all of baseball and an equally potent offense to match it, Philadelphia is built for another deep run at their first World Series title since 2008.

While the roster is certainly elite, there is always room for improvement. The most glaring area of need for the team is out in center field. So far, they have been relying on a trio of hitters in the middle of the outfield, a rotation that has yet to provide any fruit.

So far this season, Philadelphia center fielders are slashing just .225/.291/.303 with two home runs and 20 RBIs. This represents the one true weak spot in the Phillies' otherwise stout lineup, and it's an issue that has plagued the team since last season.

With the NL as loaded as ever and Philadelphia's roster stacked everywhere else, speculation has once again begun to stir that the team might finally make the long-predicted move to acquire Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr.

Luis Robert Jr. is a popular trade candidate, and the #Phillies appear to be interested.https://t.co/pDgjyQ2IPA
— Phils Nation (@PHLPhilNation) April 22, 2025

The two sides have been linked at multiple points over the past couple of years, most notably at last season's trade deadline, where the Phillies reportedly made a very serious push for Robert.

The two front offices were obviously unable to come to an agreement at the time, but things could be different this time around.

Chicago looks to be even worse this season than they were last, and that team was one of the worst in MLB history. Not only that, but Robert has been slumping massively at the plate, which could mean the team is more willing to part ways with him.

With things clearly not going well for the Sox, and Robert clearly in need of a change of scenery, the stars could finally be aligning for Philadelphia to acquire the center fielder they've coveted so highly in recent years.

They certainly have the capital to pay whatever price Chicago might ask, and they also have the added urgency of being right in the middle of a championship window.

If GM Preston Mattingley can finally swing the trade, then he could very well put his team in the driver's seat for another National League pennant come October.

This article first appeared on Philadelphia Phillies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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