Robert hopeful about uncertain future with Sox

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Luis Robert Jr. has a future vision of grandeur involving himself and the White Sox.

The five-tool center fielder hopes to stay with the team through the latest rebuild, through these tough on-field times, and still be there when this crew is ready to compete.

“It’s been my team throughout my whole professional career in the U.S., right?” said Robert, through interpreter Billy Russo on Monday. “It would be beautiful to have experienced playing for just one team, the team that gave me the opportunity to make my dream come true.

“That would be a really beautiful story. But that’s something I can’t control.”

As the first Spring Training with manager Will Venable moves ahead full force, the question for Robert isn’t necessarily about this idea coming to fruition. It’s more about whether the All-Star center fielder will be with the White Sox when they break camp on March 24.

Even if he remains, Robert is under contract at $15 million for the 2025 season, and the team holds a pair of $20 million options for ’26 and '27, with a $2 million buyout each year. It seems more likely the 27-year-old would be traded to enhance this latest rebuild versus playing through these three seasons on the South Side.

There was outside interest in Robert near the start of Spring Training. But as of now, the longest-tenured member of the team by White Sox service time is focused on getting ready for the 2025 campaign and helping Chicago improve.

“This is my team right now. I’m just getting ready to fight for this team,” Robert said. “If the moment comes when I have to move and play for another team, well, we’ll see. But right now, my focus is on doing my best for this team and trying to help this team win games.

“It is a difficult thing, especially when you have been with an organization throughout your whole career, and knowing there might come an end to that. At the same time, you have to understand it’s a business.”

Robert credited his agent for doing a good job of keeping him informed regarding every offseason situation. Otherwise, Robert didn’t pay attention to the rumors.

Injuries also have been a concern for Robert, who was limited to 100 games in 2024 after missing from April 6 to June 3 with a right hip flexor strain. It was the second time in five seasons Robert suffered that injury, missing from May 4 to Aug. 8 in '21.

Although he set a career high with 23 stolen bases last season, Robert slashed .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs, 19 doubles and 35 RBIs. There clearly was no hesitation in his game, but the expected high-level results were absent.

“You work throughout the offseason getting ready for the season and your mindset is, ‘OK, I’m going to have a good season, I’m putting myself in the best position to succeed,’” Robert said. “Then you go to Spring Training, you have a good Spring Training, you start the season good and then all of a sudden you get injured and you also lose time. It’s very difficult to deal with and it’s difficult when you come back to try to get that momentum.”

“We all know the player he is,” said White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi of Robert. “Last year was a funk we couldn’t get out of, and that goes for everybody in here. Luis will be back to what he typically is. He’s one of the best center fielders in the game and I think he’s going to prove it.”

Playing smarter during the early-season cold conditions is one goal for Robert, focusing on knowing the situation of the game, knowing when he needs to run and knowing the best time to push a little bit to help the team. As for moving to designated hitter from time to time to help keep him fresh? That change doesn’t interest the 2020 Gold Glove winner.

“I don’t think so. I like to play in center field every day,” Robert said. “The DH spot sometimes is kind of tricky, because you’re on the bench for two or three innings and your body gets cold and your legs aren’t as warm or as active as they are when you’re on the field.

“The way that I can lead is to try to do my best and be the best that I can be. Just another player on this team trying to do their best.”