The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to assemble one of the most dominant superteams in baseball history. After signing Blake Snell, they surprisingly still have the financial flexibility to pursue Juan Soto, though reports suggest they are unlikely to land him.
As an alternative to Soto, the Dodgers have reportedly shown strong interest in trading for Chicago White Sox star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Robert has one year remaining on his contract before transitioning to two club option years in 2026 and 2027, each worth $20 million. However, Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts the Dodgers won’t be the team to acquire him.
Instead, Bowden recently speculated that the Cincinnati Reds, a smaller-market team, could emerge as the frontrunner for Robert.
“The Reds could use another impact bat in their lineup, and Robert, with three years of team control, would be a perfect fit,” Bowden wrote. “He would solidify center field long-term in Cincinnati, and his power would thrive in the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Robert’s performance dipped last year due to nagging injuries and a lack of lineup protection, but in his best season (2023), he hit .264/.315/.542 with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases in 24 attempts.”
A move to Cincinnati seems like a natural fit for Robert.
The White Sox are reportedly seeking position-player prospects in return for their stars, and the Reds have an abundance of young infield talent, including Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Sal Stewart, Cam Collier, and Elly De La Cruz.
To acquire Robert, the Reds could potentially package a major leaguer like Marte along with one or two prospects. While some fans might hesitate to add another high-strikeout player, Robert’s unique combination of power and speed makes him a highly enticing option.
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