The New York Yankees have reportedly expressed interest in outfielder Luis Robert Jr. as a potential trade target, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, even though the 28-year-old has struggled offensively over the past two seasons, posting sub-.700 OPS marks in 2024 and 2025.

Despite recent underperformance, Robert still carries significant upside, and there is a belief among evaluators that a change of scenery from the Chicago White Sox could allow him to rebound, revitalizing his potential as a dynamic contributor in the Yankees’ outfield.

Depending on how the roster is ultimately constructed, Robert could give New York a versatile and potentially explosive left field option. He could also platoon with Jasson Dominguez, forming a tandem capable of optimizing matchups against right-handed pitching while maintaining flexibility in center field.

The financial and prospect costs remain a significant question. Robert is owed $20 million this season, and any trade would likely require the Yankees to send back valuable prospects or share salary to mitigate Luxury Tax concerns while remaining competitive.

Additionally, the White Sox have reportedly asked for a high return in negotiations, a factor that has reportedly prevented teams like the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds from successfully acquiring Robert despite interest, leaving the Yankees in a strategic position to evaluate options.

A few years ago, Robert was considered one of the game’s elite young talents. In 2023, he clubbed 38 home runs and recorded a 4.9 WAR across 145 games, even as the White Sox struggled mightily, highlighting his ability to produce at a high level in difficult circumstances.

Fast forward two years, and Robert’s stock has fallen due to a combination of injuries and steep offensive regression, leaving his bat in question while his defensive tools and baserunning remain elite components of his profile.

Despite these concerns, there are encouraging signs. Last season, Robert posted a .761 xOPS and recorded a career-high 9.3% walk rate, suggesting plate discipline improvements and a potential foundation for a bounce-back offensive season under new coaching and team conditions.

Looking at splits, Robert has a career .293 batting average and .505 slugging percentage against left-handed pitching, which positions him as an ideal complement to Dominguez, who excelled against right-handed pitching with a .274 average, .420 slugging, and .768 OPS in 2025.

Robert’s elite defense makes him even more appealing. His ability to patrol left field, combined with a backup capability in center field behind Trent Grisham, offers the Yankees flexibility, particularly in late-game substitutions, injury scenarios, or matchup-based defensive strategies.

Robert and Dominguez both bring dynamic baserunning to the table, further enhancing lineup versatility. Their speed, combined with gap power and defensive range, could allow New York to generate runs and limit opponent scoring through aggressive, strategic baseball.

The primary downside remains cost. Acquiring Robert would require the Yankees to navigate both his $20 million salary and any prospect capital necessary to finalize a deal, which could impact their offseason plans and the team’s overall financial flexibility under the Luxury Tax threshold.

Beyond financial concerns, there is the matter of production risk. While Robert has shown flashes of elite ability, his recent slump raises questions about consistency. New York would need to weigh whether a potential rebound outweighs the guaranteed costs and prospect investment required.

If acquired, Robert could serve as insurance or an upgrade depending on Cody Bellinger’s free-agent decision. Should Bellinger sign elsewhere, Robert’s ability to fill multiple outfield roles, combined with defensive and baserunning prowess, would make him an attractive alternative for a team with World Series aspirations.

In the broader context of the Yankees’ offseason, Robert represents a calculated gamble: a chance to acquire a former All-Star with upside, balanced against the risk of continued offensive regression and the cost of acquisition, which could impact other roster-building moves.

Ultimately, Luis Robert Jr. is part of the Yankees’ pivot plans, offering potential for high-impact contributions if he can rediscover his offensive form. Whether New York can navigate the financial and prospect hurdles remains to be seen, but the team’s interest signals a willingness to explore creative options.