Luis Robert Jr. needs a fresh start — and so do White Sox

Robert is coming off an up-and-down 2025 campaign (.223, 14 HR, 53 RBI in 110 games), another reminder of how far he’s drifted from his 2023 breakout — when he hit 38 homers, drove in 80 runs and looked like an emerging superstar. Since then, his production has sagged, and his availability has constantly been in question.

White Sox's Luis Robert Jr. may needs a change of scenery

When healthy, Robert still flashes elite tools — explosive power, speed, and Gold Glove-level defense. But too often those flashes fade into long slumps or IL stints. And being the centerpiece of a noncompetitive roster can take a toll on any player. It’s fair to wonder if the losing has dulled his edge.

If the White Sox are serious about rebuilding from the ground up, it’s time to rip off the Band-Aid and move him. Robert needs a change of scenery, and the Sox need to stop clinging to the last symbol of a failed era.

Teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants would all make sense as landing spots. Each could surround him with legitimate talent and take pressure off him to carry a lineup — which, in turn, might unlock the version of Robert who briefly looked like a franchise cornerstone.

Chicago missed its best window to maximize his value after that 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger campaign. But it’s not too late to act. The White Sox can still turn Robert into meaningful assets before injuries and inconsistency erode his market further.

The franchise has already started over. Now it needs to finish the job.