MLB Rumors: Reds, White Sox Couldn't Find 'Middle Ground' on Luis Robert Jr. Trade

The Cincinnati Reds have increased their activity in recent days, but they reportedly fell short of making a major trade.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Reds were "working on" a trade for Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. until Sunday, but the teams "could not find a middle ground on players or dollars."

Robert is set to earn $15 million for the 2025 season and has $20 million club options for 2026 and 2027 with $2 million buyouts in both years, so trading for him would require a commitment of at least $17 million. The 27-year-old is coming off another injury-riddled season in 2024 in which he was limited to 100 games and hit a career-worst .224 with just 14 home runs and 35 RBI.

Sources told Rosenthal and Sammon that Cincinnati and Chicago "did not resolve how much of Robert's salary the White Sox would have paid." The Reds reportedly included infield prospect Edwin Arroyo in discussions with the White Sox, but "ultimately, the Reds could not get comfortable with the total cost."

After failing to land Robert, the Reds pivoted by reaching an agreement with free-agent outfielder Austin Hays on a one-year, $5 million contract, pending a physical. Cincinnati also signed veteran left-hander Wade Miley to a minor-league deal and acquired lefty reliever Taylor Rogers in a trade with the San Francisco Giants.

The Reds went 77-85 in 2024 and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Cincinnati is certainly hoping its recent additions will help turn things around next season, and it can be expected that the franchise will continue seeking improvements to its roster this winter.