Chicago White Sox lock in another member of the core
By David Hill
The Chicago White Sox have locked up another member of their core, signing Luis Robert to a six year deal.
It has been a busy offseason for the Chicago White Sox. Ready to emerge from their lengthy rebuild, they have signed Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, and Edwin Encarnacion. Jose Abreu was brought back, and given a three year extension. The White Sox also acquired Nomar Mazara in a deal with the Rangers, sending minor league outfielder Steele Walker to Texas.
And yet, the White Sox indicated that they were not done. They still had money to spend, and improvements to make. On Thursday, the White Sox spent some of that money, handing top prospect Luis Robert a six year extension worth $50 million. Another two option years could bring the complete value of the deal to $88 million.
Outfielder Luis Robert and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $50 million contract that includes two club options, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 2, 2020
Robert will begin the season in Chicago. No service-time manipulation necessary. Sox are gonna be good.
This deal is a new record for a player that has yet to appear in the majors, eclipsing the six year, $43 million that the White Sox gave Eloy Jimenez last year. As Jimenez posted a .267/.315/.513 batting line with 31 homers last season, that extension has been well worth the money thus far.
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Chicago can only hope that the same happens with Robert. He was finally healthy last season, and showed his immense potential. In 551 plate appearances across three levels, he produced a stellar .328/.376/.624 batting line, hitting 31 doubles and 32 homers while stealing 36 bases.
Easily one of the more exciting prospects in the game, Robert should now begin the 2020 campaign as the White Sox center fielder. There had been questions as to whether or not he would begin the season in the minors in order to manipulate his service time, but this extension puts any possibility of that to rest.
After failing to finish above .500 since 2012, the White Sox are all in to reverse those fortunes. This is not only a push for the postseason this year, but for the next few seasons. Their young core is locked in through 2023, giving Chicago an impressive window with a talented roster. Should the youngsters reach their potential quickly, they could have a sustainable contender.
Next. White Sox finally contenders again. dark
The Chicago White Sox locked in another part of their core, signing Luis Robert to a six year extension. The young core, and the future, are officially in place.