Whenever we talk about the outfielders the St. Louis Cardinals mishandled, traded, released, or failed to keep, names like Adolis García, Randy Arozarena, Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas, Dylan Carlson, Jordan Walker, Marcell Ozuna, and Juan Soto usually come to mind. But one of the strangest and most difficult-to-defend whiffs — Luis Robert Jr. — is often overlooked.
Back in 2017, the Cardinals were considered frontrunners to land Robert, who was among the top international prospects that year. Reports indicated that St. Louis submitted a competitive offer to the then-19-year-old, but the White Sox outbid them, and the Cardinals ultimately missed out on acquiring a future star for their outfield. They had already landed Ivan Herrera, Randy Arozarena, and Johan Oviedo in the 2016–2017 international class, and adding Robert would have elevated that group into something truly special.
Robert has since played his entire career in Chicago, but with the trade deadline approaching, he’s expected to be one of the hotter names on the market — and a Cardinals insider recently floated him as a possible target for St. Louis.
As the trade deadline approaches, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat identified Luis Robert Jr. as a potential short-term upgrade the Cardinals could pursue, particularly to address their lack of a productive right-handed outfielder. Jones suggested Robert could take over in right field and shift to center when the Cardinals face left-handed pitching. Though Robert has mainly played center field for the White Sox, his defensive flexibility would be useful in St. Louis.
Robert is enduring a tough season, batting just .185/.270/.313 over 73 games, but he’s added eight home runs and 22 stolen bases. He’s also under contract with two $20 million club options remaining, which complicates his trade value. Despite his struggles in 2024, Robert has a strong track record — including a 12th-place finish in AL MVP voting in 2023 and a 154 OPS+ in 2021 — making him an intriguing yet risky trade candidate.
Some believe the White Sox might hold onto him to rebuild his value, while others think they may move on now and unload the contract. That opens the door for a team like St. Louis to potentially land a high-upside player who’s been underperforming in Chicago.
Jones isn’t known for speculative reporting, so while he’s not claiming the Cardinals are actively pursuing Robert or that talks are underway, his mention of the idea adds credibility to the possibility.
Whether the White Sox would demand a significant return remains to be seen, but for the Cardinals, acquiring Robert could be a worthwhile gamble. If he struggles, they can simply decline his option this winter. If he excels, they could retain him for 2026 or trade him again for value.
Jones also referenced John Mozeliak’s recent comments suggesting ownership is willing to invest at the deadline if the team is contending. With Robert owed $15 million this season, St. Louis would only take on around half that if a trade occurred soon.
While this isn’t the most likely outcome for the Cardinals, it’s a scenario worth keeping an eye on — especially with the lineup being a clear area of focus. Acquiring Robert would be a bold move, but one that might pay off significantly.