Blue Jays have better trade chips for these teams than Luis Robert Jr.

It's the MLB offseason, so it's time for the Chicago White Sox to once again stir the rumor mill pot by dangling Luis Robert Jr. in trade talks.

With all due respect to the talented-yet-oft-injured outfielder, the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze with Robert anymore. He's owed $20 million in 2026 (and has a club option for 2027 worth $20 million). Considering he hit .223/.297/.364 (84 wRC+) this past season, it's hard to argue for the 28-year-old outfielder being a net-positive value on his current contract.

And yet, that hasn't stopped multiple MLB teams from reportedly contacting the White Sox about his availability. It's really a confounding situation, especially since the Toronto Blue Jays have far more attractive trade chips that could interest any of the teams in on Robert.

Blue Jays should take advantage of outfield surplus in desperate trade market

The Blue Jays have built up something of a stockpile of talent in the outfield corners in recent years, and it may be time for them to cash in on some of the superfluous members of the roster. Nathan Lukes looks like the early favorite to start in left field after his strong postseason run, but the 31-year-old has a career 106 wRC+. Might it be time to sell high on a left-handed bat who can comfortably play all three outfield positions?

Or what about Anthony Santander? John Schneider confirmed that the veteran outfielder is healthy, and it was just one year ago that he hit 44 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles. You'd be selling low on the slugger after he hit .175/.271/.294 with just six home runs in 221 plate appearances in 2025, but freeing his money up from the books could enable the Blue Jays to do more elsewhere on the roster.

Addison Barger also belongs here, if only because he proved capable of handling right field last season. Ditto for Myles Straw, who can play all three outfield positions. Davis Schneider and Joey Loperfido are also on the 40-man roster.

This conversation will really become timely if the Blue Jays sign Kyle Tucker, who would immediately displace Santander in right field. With George Springer taking up all of the at-bats at DH and Daulton Varsho locked into the starting spot in center field, Tucker's presence would effectively mean that there's one open spot for all of the aforementioned players.

There's clearly a path here for the Blue Jays to extract some value for superfluous talent. If Luis Robert can still draw trade interest in 2025, so too can all of Toronto's reserves.