If there was one glaring issue for the San Diego Padres, it would be their massive hole in left field. While the rest of their outfield, Fernando Tatis Jr. in right and Jackson Merrill in center, is incredible, the left field spot has been rough.
Fortunately, there will be plenty of options at the MLB trade deadline to resolve this issue. One of the names consistently mentioned in recent weeks, including a recent report from Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report, is Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
The Padres need more slug in the outfield, and on the roster, and Robert fits the bill. He’s a dynamic athlete on the base-paths as well, so the Padres would be adding a player who can wear multiple hats for the team, while also plugging in their largest hole.
Robert is in the final guaranteed year of a six-year, $50 million deal he signed in 2020. While he can become a free agent after 2025, the White Sox, or if the Padres acquired him, would have two club options for 2026 and 2027 at $20 million each.
While it’d be an expensive contract to dish out, Robert has a history that could make the deal worth it. The White Sox are also open to negotiating how much an acquiring team would inherit, something that fits the Padres more than most other teams in need of Robert’s services.
The question of “why Robert?” is an easy one to answer. In his MLB career, Robert has won a Gold Glove award, hit 38 home runs in a season, and was an All-Star just two seasons ago. While those are great accolades and accomplishments, there is some concern over his performance in 2025.
Through 243 at-bats, Robert has 45 hits, 26 runs scored, eight doubles, seven home runs, 31 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, 27 walks, and 87 strikeouts. His .185 batting average is by far the worst of his six-year career, as is his .572 OPS.
Despite his incredible .857 OPS in 2023, when he hit 38 home runs, 36 doubles, and was named to the All-Star team, Robert hasn’t been great as a hitter in 2025. His lack of offensive production is a major reason why he’s available and why the Padres could decide to look elsewhere.
But Robert might just need a change of scenery. Maybe being on a postseason-contending team will help him get out of his funk. The Padres are one of a few teams likely willing to take a chance on him, which could help lower his value compared to other outfielders on the market.
Robert’s worth taking a chance on based on all the tools he’s shown in his career. If it doesn’t pan out, it can be a one-year experiment. But if he finds immense success, the Padres can bring him back for 2026. The Padres need a left fielder, and Robert is one of the best options on the market.
