Why the Yankees should make a deal for Luis Robert Jr. 

After getting embarrassed in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in October, the New York Yankees have experienced a series of misfortunes. In the offseason, they lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, and in spring training, ace Gerrit Cole suffered an elbow injury and is out for the season.

New York's depth is compromised, as pitcher Luis Gil (lat muscle), the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, is out for at least three months and DH Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) isn't taking swings and will miss Opening Day and probably beyond. 

So, what's next for the Bronx Bombers? 

It might be time for the front office to kick the tires on a deal for Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

In the offseason, New York bolstered the pitching staff by signing two-time All-Star Max Fried and trading for two-time NL Reliever of the Year Devin Williams, but the offense needs a jolt.

It's easier to trade for a decent bat than an ace to replace Cole, and a better lineup would take pressure off the pitchers. General manager Brian Cashman admitted Tuesday that "very little is available" in the pitching market, and the team must "rely on what we have," per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

Robert Jr. is a worthy target. The 2023 All-Star has a career .267/.316/.474 slash line with 88 homers and 245 RBI over 467 games and makes only $15M this season, per Spotrac. His contract also has $20M club options in 2026 and '27, providing outs if he doesn't produce.

Robert's salary could be a bargain if he replicates his 2023 season, when he slashed 264/.315/.542 with 38 homers and 80 RBI. However, the 27-year-old's other four seasons have been injury-shortened, making any deal for him potentially risky.

However, Robert is hitting .318 with two homers and four RBI this spring and would fit in well with the Yankees. They could put him in center and move Cody Bellinger (.500 spring BA through Tuesday) to left. Aaron Judge, of course, has right field locked down. Top prospect Jasson Dominguez, who struggles defensively in the outfield, could fill in for Stanton at designated hitter.

The Yankees could entice the White Sox by offering to eat part of Robert's salary in addition to sending Chicago prospects. Chicago's talks about a deal for Robert broke down with Cincinnati in January because the Reds refused to take on part of his salary, per The Athletic.

With Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman and Will Warren (3-0, 1.54 ERA, 0.60 WHIP this spring) in the fold, the starting rotation can get by without Cole.

The Yankees need offense. Robert Jr. could fill the void.