Don’t be surprised if this sounds familiar — the Cincinnati Reds are once again in a prime position to acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox.
The Reds nearly landed Robert during the offseason in a deal that fell apart late in negotiations. They remained a logical trade partner earlier this year when Robert was struggling mightily at the plate.
Now, with a new report suggesting Chicago is willing to include cash to help offset the cost of moving Robert or Andrew Benintendi, the Reds may finally have the perfect opportunity to complete the deal.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the White Sox are open to absorbing some of the remaining salary in a potential trade, a move that could make Robert far more attractive to suitors like Cincinnati.
Robert is currently in the final guaranteed year of a six-year, $50 million deal but holds team options for 2026 and 2027, with a $2 million buyout looming for next season.
Once considered a no-brainer due to his All-Star production, Robert’s performance has dipped, batting just .188 this season and .211 over his last 168 games — though he remains a strong defensive asset and effective base stealer.
While his recent hitting struggles might concern some teams, the flexibility of his contract — and the possibility of the White Sox covering part of the cost — makes him a compelling target.
Cincinnati, already poised to be aggressive with prospects like Chase Burns nearing promotion, could now have the extra incentive to get a deal done.
The Reds have come close before, but with this new twist, they may finally be able to push the long-discussed trade across the finish line.
