The only Luis Robert Jr. trade package that makes any sense for Pirates

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are finally ready to shop in the “this significantly upgrades our lineup” aisle, they can’t do it the way the Yankees do it. Pittsburgh’s version has to be colder, cleaner, and way more honest, especially if you’re buying the upside of Luis Robert Jr., and you’re pricing in the part where he hasn’t stayed on the field consistently. That’s the deal. And that’s exactly why the Chicago White Sox can’t expect a king’s ransom anymore.

Yes, Robert still has the tools that make front offices drool: center-field defense, legitimate power, and that “if he clicks, it changes your lineup overnight.” But the version being traded isn’t the 2023 All-Star who hit 38 homers with 20 steals and got MVP votes. The version being traded is a 28-year-old coming off two straight seasons cut up by injuries, finishing both 2024 and 2025 at 1.4 WAR with nearly identical batting averages (.224 in 2024, .223 in 2025). That’s not “empty talent,” but it’s also not “hand over your whole farm system” talent.

Pirates can chase Luis Robert Jr. without lighting their farm system on fire

If Pittsburgh is serious, the trade has to reflect both truths: the Pirates need impact, and the Sox need to stop acting like they’re selling a pristine asset.

Here’s the one package that actually matches the market:

For Chicago, it’s clean. The Pirates will take on the $20 million salary in 2026. They get two legit prospects and salary relief while staying aligned with the rebuild. Jebb (Pirates' No. 19 prospect) is especially useful because he’s a left-handed contact type who can move — he played more second base last year, got some center-field reps, and even if some evaluators don’t love the infield “eye test,” the versatility matters. In a rebuild, you take athletes who might fit in multiple spots and let the development staff sort out the final answer.

Mueth (Pirates' No. 14 prospect) is the upside swing on the mound. The slider needs more depth, the changeup has to remain usable against lefties, and the biggest key is simply landing his stuff in the strike zone consistently enough to stay a starter. That’s real work — but it’s also the exact kind of development bet rebuilding teams should be making.

For the Pirates, this is the gamble you can justify: one year of Robert with the option to keep him longer if it works, and a lineup that finally looks like it has a heartbeat in the outfield. If he hits, you’re dangerous. If he doesn’t, you didn’t burn the entire system to find out.