The White Sox are expected to be one of the main sellers at the deadline, as there could be a significant overhaul of the roster over the next few days. One of the main pieces that is likely to be traded is Luis Robert Jr., as he is a very intriguing trade candidate.
After an MVP caliber 2023 campaign, Luis Robert Jr. has been injured and not playing like he was in 2023. However, he has been improving over the last month or so, as he has been much better than his .204 season batting average would suggest.
Over the last seven games, Robert Jr. is hitting .360, over the last 15 he is hitting .304, and over the last 30 games he is hitting .258. That is much better and significantly closer to what the White Sox and other teams have expected out of him.
This has led to a resurgence of his trade interest, as it seems likely that Luis Robert Jr.’s days on the White Sox are numbered. One suitor has emerged as a landing spot, as Francys Romero reports that the Phillies are one of the teams interested in adding Robert Jr.
The Phillies are one of the teams seriously considering and monitoring OF Luis Robert Jr. more and more closely, per sources.
https://twitter.com/francysromeroFR/status/1949246569364050407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1949246569364050407%7Ctwgr%5E6d7b9cc46b43f12f517f08b106a08a9d66462fe4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsmockery.com%2Fchicago-white-sox%2Fphillies-emerging-as-frontrunner-for-white-sox-outfielder%2F
This is a good sign, as the Phillies are a team that could be looking to make a splash at the deadline, as they sit just one game back of the New York Mets. With the White Sox reportedly interested in a deal with the Mets, a bidding war between division rivals could be just what the White Sox need to maximize a return for Robert Jr.
The Phillies have a very solid farm system, as they currently have six players on the MLB Pipeline top-100 prospects list. Absent a bidding war, I’m not sure how likely it is the White Sox get one of those players, but they do have some other intriguing prospects outside of the top-100.
The White Sox could be interested in outfielder Dante Nori, the Phillies’ first round selection in the 2024 draft. In 87 games in A-ball, Nori is hitting .263 with a .355 OBP. He’s added four homeruns, 35 RBIs, and has 25 stolen bases in his first full professional season.
Dante Nori turns on this 95 mph fastball for his fourth home run of the season for Clearwater. The former first rounder goes 399 feet at 101.6 mph
Starting with a 4 for 5 performance on June 8, Nori is slashing 331/413/460 over his last 32 games, with 19 RBIs and a 22/16 K/BB pic.twitter.com/M4vCMwms6g
https://twitter.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/1948102253946310673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1948102253946310673%7Ctwgr%5E6d7b9cc46b43f12f517f08b106a08a9d66462fe4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsmockery.com%2Fchicago-white-sox%2Fphillies-emerging-as-frontrunner-for-white-sox-outfielder%2F
While he isn’t close to the major leagues, Nori could be a valuable addition to the White Sox farm system and would likely slot in their top-10. However if a bidding war ensues, the White Sox could potentially land one of the lower ranked top-100 prospects in the Phillies organization.
Perhaps the White Sox could get Aroon Escobar, MLB Pipeline’s #86th ranked prospect. Escobar is a 20 year old second basemen in A+ ball, hitting .279 with a .376 OBP. He has added 11 homeruns, 48 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. While second base isn’t a position of need, the White Sox need to get the best deal they can and get as much talent as possible, figuring out the rest later.
In a best case scenario, the Mets and Phillies get in a bidding war to try and make sure that the other team doesn’t land Robert Jr. This would lead to a much better haul than expected for the White Sox, as without it, they likely won’t land a top-100 prospect.
