Dodgers, White Sox Discussed Blockbuster Trade Involving Luis Robert Jr and James Outman
The Los Angeles Dodgers discussed a potential trade with the Chicago White Sox for centerfielder Luis Robert Jr., according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale. The return package reportedly included outfielder James Outman and a top Dodgers prospect.
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However, the two teams have put the trade talks aside for the time being.
Heading into the season, there were two positions that the Dodgers hadn’t cemented: second base and center field. The Dodgers could use utility man Tommy Edman at either position, but he plays mostly at second base. However, he did fill in at center field when Andy Pages was struggling at the plate.
Pages and Outman were competing for a chance to emerge as the Dodgers’ everyday center fielder this spring, but the team remained non-committal on naming a set starter. Outman was optioned to Triple-A after the Tokyo Series.
“I think it’s just going to remain fluid,” manager Dave Roberts said in March. “I think that’s a position where we have different players that can play second base, can play center field. So it’s not going to be one certain situation, versus left, versus right.
“I think just kind of rotating Tommy [Edman], Kiké [Hernández] , Miggy Ro[jas] at second base, Tommy in center field, Andy [Pages] in center field – so it’s going to kind of remain fluid. I think each of those guys is going to play between three and call it five days (a week) – outside of Tommy, who’s going to be essentially an everyday guy.”
If the Dodgers resume the trade talks with Chicago, the arrival of Robert would likely secure an everyday center fielder. Robert is currently off to a slow start at the plate, hitting .178 with a .536 OPS. He has one home run and four runs batted in so far this season.
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Photo Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
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