The New York Yankees may have missed out on re-signing Juan Soto this offseason, but that could prove to be a blessing in disguise. After bolstering their rotation with pitchers Devin Williams and Max Fried, the Yankees are now focusing on their lineup to fill the void Soto left in right field.
While Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has been their top target, negotiations have reportedly stalled. As a backup plan, the Yankees could turn their attention to another Chicago star: White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. With Robert on the trade block, New York could make a massive move to bring him to the Bronx.
Here’s a potential trade:
Yankees receive: OF Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox receive: INF George Lombard Jr. (No. 3 prospect), LHP Brock Selvidge (No. 7 prospect), OF Francisco Vilorio (No. 15 prospect)
Acquiring Robert would give the Yankees a dynamic Soto replacement. He would take over center field duties, allowing Aaron Judge to return to his natural position in right field. Although Robert’s price tag is steep, he’s under team control through 2027 and has the potential to be a game-changing bat in Aaron Boone’s lineup.
Despite a down year in 2024, Robert’s 2023 performance—38 home runs, 36 doubles, and an .857 OPS—demonstrates his high upside. For a win-now team like the Yankees, trading top prospect George Lombard Jr. seems necessary. The 19-year-old, New York’s 2023 first-round pick, has shown significant potential, but his departure could seal the deal.
Brock Selvidge, while not a bat to fit the White Sox’s trade focus, is too talented to overlook, and Francisco Vilorio, an 18-year-old outfielder with elite tools, could sweeten the offer.
If negotiations for Bellinger fall through, this trade package could be enough to land Robert in New York, giving the Yankees a long-term star to fill Soto’s shoes.
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