The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to build the most unbeatable superteam that baseball has ever seen. After signing Blake Snell, they somehow have the money to continue to pursue Juan Soto, but they're expected to fall short of him.
As a pivot from Soto, the Dodgers have been rumored to be heavily involved in the trade market of Chicago White Sox star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Robert has one year left on his deal before it turns to club options in 2026 and 2027. Both club options are worth $20 million each season.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic doesn't think it'll be the Dodgers that land Robert. Instead, Bowden recently suggested it could be the small market Cincinnati Reds that land the outfielder.
"The Reds could use one more bat for the middle of their lineup and Robert, who comes with three years of team control, would be the perfect fit. He would solve center field long term for Cincinnati and his power would play in the small confines of Great American Ball Park," Bowden wrote. "Robert is coming off a subpar year in which he dealt with nagging injuries and there was no reason for opposing teams to pitch to him because he had no protection in the White Sox lineup. At his best, in 2023, he hit .264/.315/.542 with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases in 24 attempts."
Robert to the Reds almost makes too much sense.
Chicago reportedly wants position player prospects in return for its stars. Cincinnati has a logjam in the infield with Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Sal Stewart, Cam Collier, Elly De La Cruz, and multiple other young infielders in the farm system.
The Reds could part ways with a big leaguer like Marte and a prospect or two to bring Robert to the Queen City. Cincinnati fans may not want another high strikeout hitter, but given Robert's power and speed combination, it's hard to not see the upside.
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