Dodgers-White Sox trade rumors should prompt Reds to revisit offseason negotiations

The Cincinnati Reds are no strangers to the Luis Robert Jr. rumor mill. Trade whispers surrounding the Chicago White Sox outfielder have been circulating for well over a year. And while previous conversations have cooled — the logic behind the deal hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s more relevant now than ever.

The Reds are off to a sluggish start in the 2025 season, residing near the bottom of the NL Central standings — though back-to-back series wins have them on the upswing. But one glaring issue remains unchanged. There is still a lack of outfield production. Heading into the season, the outfield was already seen as a weak link, and that assessment has proven true. No one has stepped up to become a consistent presence either at the plate.

If the Reds have any intention of contending in the second half, they’ll need to bolster that unit. And if the front office is serious about making a run, Robert should be at the top of their wishlist. This is esspeically true in light of the latest trade rumors centering around a potential deal between the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the White Sox and Dodgers have discussed a possible trade that would send Robert to LA. That deal is said to be tabled for the time being.

Dodgers-White Sox trade rumors should prompt Reds to revisit offseason negotiations despite his early-season struggles

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Robert is struggling. Through his first 54 plate appearances in 2025, he’s slashing an meager .178/.269/.267 with just four RBI and 13 strikeouts and a 58 OPS+. That’s... not good. Especially from a player with superstar expectations and a hefty price tag.

But this isn’t new for Robert He’s notoriously a slow starter. His career batting average in March/April is just .230, compared to a scorching .326 in May. He heats up as the season goes on. That trend alone should keep interested teams from overreacting to a rough few weeks.

When you zoom out, Robert’s track record speaks for itself. Since debuting in 2020, he’s posted an OPS+ above league average in every season (2022 - 100 OPS+) but one. His 2023 campaign included a career-high 38 home runs and 80 RBI with a 5.3 bWAR. Even in a down year last season, he still remained a dangerous presence in the lineup when healthy.

The Reds would offer White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. a change of scenery

There’s a broader argument here that’s tough to ignore: Robert is wasting away on a White Sox team that’s going absolutely nowhere. Chicago has been stuck in neutral for years, and 2025 will be another lost season. For Robert, the motivation of playing meaningful baseball hasn’t been there — not because of a lack of effort, but because of the environment around him.

The Reds, meanwhile, are in the midst of building something real. They have a young, exciting core and one of the league’s deepest farm systems. What they don’t have is a middle-of-the-order presence in the outfield who can help them take the next step. Robert fits that mold. And more importantly, they have the prospect capital to get a deal done — especially with the White Sox in a full-scale rebuild.

This probably won’t happen in the next few weeks. But as we get closer to the trade deadline this will be a conversation worth reigniting, and the Reds may need to double their efforts if the Dodgers are lurking behind the scenes. Robert is not just a flashy name — he’s a potential game-changer for a team on the rise like Cincinnati.

The White Sox are clearly headed in a new direction while the Reds still have something to play for. In 2025, these two franchises are perfect trade partners at exactly the right time.

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