The Chicago White Sox made it official on Tuesday morning, picking up the $20 million club option for outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

Ever since the White Sox chose not to trade Robert at the 2025 deadline, GM Chris Getz has made it clear that his intention was to bring him back for 2026. On Tuesday, he followed through on those words.

It’s certainly a gamble. Robert hasn’t played up to a $20 million salary in either of the last two seasons. He’s hit 14 home runs in both 2024 and 2025, with an OPS+ hovering around 85 — well below league average. Injuries have taken their toll, limiting both his power and consistency. Still, the White Sox are paying for what he can be, not what he’s been.

We saw that potential in 2023 — when Robert hit 38 home runs, made an All-Star team, and posted an .857 OPS while playing Gold Glove–caliber defense in center field. That’s the player the White Sox hope shows up again.

After the All-Star break this past season, it briefly looked like he might. Robert was batting .298 with an .808 OPS in the second half before another injury shut him down for the year.

So what should Sox fans expect in 2026? Probably more of the same. It’s safest to keep expectations low and hope for the best. If Robert looks like the 2024–2025 version of himself, he’ll be drastically overpaid at $20 million. But even so, Getz made the right call.

The White Sox have plenty of payroll flexibility, and Robert’s salary doesn’t meaningfully impact their ability to spend elsewhere. His trade market at the 2025 deadline was underwhelming — rival clubs were only offering lower-level prospects for a player the Sox once viewed as a franchise cornerstone. Bringing him back keeps the door open for one more shot at rebuilding his value.

If Robert struggles again, the Sox can still move him for a light return at next year’s deadline. But if lightning strikes — if he’s healthy, locked in, and looks anything like 2023 — then the Sox suddenly have a player who can change the trajectory of the team and fetch a legitimate haul in a trade. With another club option remaining for 2027, Getz still controls the outcome.

Picking up the option wasn’t just expected — it was smart. Now the challenge is simple: don’t stop here. If the White Sox want this move to mean something, they can’t cheap out in free agency. They have to follow it up with real, impact additions.