Robert continues making an impact even as trade rumors swirl

CHICAGO -- When the White Sox 6-2 victory over the Phillies was complete Monday night at Rate Field, winning pitcher Davis Martin went over and hugged his center fielder, Luis Robert Jr.

Robert remains Martin’s center fielder at least as of postgame Monday.

“I was like, ‘If that’s the last game we play together, that was awesome,’” said Martin, who struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings. “Gave him a hug and [we'll] see what happens.”

Since the 2024 Trade Deadline, Robert has been rumored to be a candidate for a move from the rebuilding White Sox prior to Thursday's 5 p.m. CT Deadline. He was once viewed as possibly the last major trade piece to add to this latest core, with his five-tool talent frequently on display.

But underperformance with the bat during the last two seasons and injuries might have slightly reduced his value. Robert missed two games during the weekend series loss to the Cubs due to right adductor tightness, then he was hit in the right forearm by Daniel Palenicia’s 101.1 mph fastball in the ninth inning Sunday.

“Thank God the ball hit me in the part of the arm where there’s enough muscle there,” said Robert through interpreter Billy Russo. “Today was a little sore, but nothing major.”

Interest remains in Robert, quite possibly from the Phillies (60-46), who were vanquished in the series opener. Robert’s two-run homer in the fourth down the right-field line off starter Cristopher Sánchez (9-3) proved to be the game-winner, while Robert also made a diving catch in center to take away extra bases from J.T. Realmuto leading off the top of the inning.

"He's strong. He made a heck of a play in the outfield,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “A line drive to [Brandon] Marsh the first time up, the home run. He's a strong guy that can really run."

Rookie Colson Montgomery (White Sox No. 4 prospect) also went deep for the fourth time in the past six games. His blast was the first the southpaw Sánchez allowed against a left-handed hitter since Aug. 29, 2024 (Matt Olson twice) and the fourth homer allowed in his career to a lefty hitter.

“That was awesome,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “The attack plan for us with Sánchez, just get the ball in the air. We had a couple guys who were able to do that, obviously a big swing by Colson. It's a tough pitcher and a nice swing by Colson.”

“It's super weird,” Sánchez said. “But what can I say? I hung the slider and he got me."

Martin (3-8) struck out the side in the first and helped his cause with a spectacular diving, rolling grab of Nick Castellanos’ slow hit grounder to the right of the mound and a perfect throw to first to strand two runners in the fifth. It helped the White Sox (39-68) improve to 7-3 since the All-Star break.

“All 26 of us in here are highly competitive and we have some belief that we can win,” Martin said. “And we have the guys that can do that. You look across our 26-man roster, there's a lot of guys that are very talented, they have incredible stuff. So it's like, why not?"

Three more wins will put the White Sox above last year’s total of 41, although the 2024 debacle is a tough measuring stick for improvement as the most single-season losses in the Modern Era (since 1901). Will Robert still be part of the White Sox when they get those wins?

Robert currently sits at 99 home runs, so will his 100th homer come with the White Sox? His approach remains simple in terms of the question of if he'll be traded or not.

“Day by day,” said Robert in English.

“A good amount of my friends have been sending me photos and text messages with rumors and all that stuff,” added Robert, through Russo. “But I tried not to pay attention.”

Robert has six home runs and a .996 OPS against left-handed pitchers, to go with 26 total stolen bases. His value is there, even if the aggregate numbers are down.

“Wherever he goes, he's gonna make an impact, whether that's on our team this year or next year, or if that's somewhere else,” said Martin of Robert, who has team options for $20 million for 2026 and ‘27, with a $2 million buyout. “He's a phenomenal baseball player, and I don't know how you can't watch him play baseball and think he can't help you win at the highest level."