Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has been made available on the trade market.
The Cincinnati Reds are facing growing pressure to add more offense as they prepare for the 2026 MLB season. While the team has built a promising young rotation headlined by Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, questions remain about whether the lineup is strong enough to carry them through a full division race.
Former MLB general manager and current ESPN analyst Jim Bowden has been vocal about the need for Cincinnati to make a bold move. Speaking on MLB Network Radio, Bowden began by praising the team’s pitching staff. “Well, I think the Cincinnati Reds need to get more offense. Look, I really like the young rotation that Nick Krall and Brad Meador have built in Cincinnati. I think it is a rotation like the Pirates that if you get enough offense, that can be a winnable division in 2026.”
Bowden then turned his attention to the lineup. “I do not think the Reds’ offense, as constituted, is good enough to get there. So I would like to see them go get a bat.”
The bat he has in mind is Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Cincinnati has been linked to Robert in the past, though no deal has materialized. Bowden reminded listeners of those discussions, noting that the Reds have been monitoring Robert for years. “They need Luis Robert. That’s what they need to trade for. They’ve been working on it for two years. Chris Getz, Nick Krall, get together, get it done.”
Robert was once considered one of the most dynamic players in the league when healthy. The 28-year-old earned All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors earlier in his career, showcasing a rare combination of power, speed and defense.
However, injuries have limited his impact in recent seasons, and his production has dipped. In 2025, across 110 games, Robert hit .223 with a .297 on-base percentage, a .661 OPS, 14 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Despite those struggles, Robert remains a player with legitimate upside. His athleticism and defensive ability in center field would immediately upgrade Cincinnati’s roster, while his bat could provide the middle-of-the-order presence the team currently lacks.
The Reds have made smaller moves this winter, strengthening their bullpen and adding depth pieces to the roster. Yet the call for a star remains. If Cincinnati wants to accelerate its climb back into contention, Bowden’s message is clear: Robert is the player who could change the trajectory of their season.