Luis Robert Jr. was once regarded as one of the best center fielders in Major League Baseball. In 2023, he got MVP votes and had 5.3 bWAR. At the age of 25, it appeared that Robert had a promising future.
Now, the once-promising talent is floundering. The 27-year-old is slicing. 190/.275/.325, and an OPS+ of 67. He has played great defense and has 22 stolen bases, but with a bWAR of 0.0, he has not been a valuable player in 2025.
That has not stopped trade speculations from circulating. In reality, with the White Sox once again circling the drain of the American League, it appears increasingly likely that they will dump Robert.
Despite his terrible statistics, Robert is the team’s most valued trade asset. He still has exceptional tools, with 20-20 potential and great defense in center field.
Could the Padres sign the outfield talent that everyone in the NL West wants?
According to a fresh report from MLBtraderumors.com, eight teams contacted Robert to inquire about his availability. Among them were the Dodgers, Giants, Reds, Mariners, and Mets, as well as at least three additional teams.
What stands out here is that the Giants and Dodgers, the Padres’ division rivals, are interested in Robert. That should frighten the Padres. Los Angeles has a history of acquiring underperforming players and developing them into stars. Recent examples are Chris Taylor, Jason Heyward, and Teoscar Hernandez. Talented players who appear lost on other teams join the Dodgers to work things out.
Giving the Dodgers a player like Robert would be like giving them a present with a bow.
At the same time, does it make sense for the Padres to enter the fray? It’s unclear whether San Diego is one of the eight clubs that have checked in on him, but they still have time to make a move before the deadline. Does Luis Robert Jr. improve the Padres in 2025, or is trading for him only a tactic to prevent the Dodgers and Giants from doing the same?
To be honest, the latter alternative seems like a greater incentive to trade for Robert. The prospects of Robert coming to San Diego and immediately turning things around are probably slim. He hasn’t looked well since 2023, and there’s no obvious reason why.
However, his worth is minimal, and the prospect of Los Angeles or San Francisco receiving the uber-talented athlete at such a low price may be enough to entice San Diego to step in and trade for Robert. Who knows, maybe Robert may bounce back in a winning environment like San Diego.