Latest Dodgers trade rumors represent a looming threat to James Outman

Rumors surrounding White Sox slugger Luis Robert Jr. are going to stick around until he ends up getting dealt — which feels far more likely than not for the always-selling White Sox — and the Dodgers have reportedly checked in on him already after talk of a blockbuster never came to fruition at the trade deadline last season. This time, conversations have been said to include former top prospect James Outman.

Outman's fall from grace last season was hard to watch. After receiving NL Rookie of the Year votes in 2023, he began 2024 as the Dodgers' starting center fielder, but was demoted to Triple-A by the middle of May. He resurfaced a few times with the Dodgers in the summer, but closed out the year batting .147 with a .521 OPS through 53 games.

He has yet to make his season debut in the majors this year and probably shouldn't expect to anytime soon, given he's batting under .180 in Triple-A through April 20 (though he is in on a five-game hitting streak). However, the White Sox are reportedly "intrigued" by Outman, according to insider Bob Nightengale, which should have Outman incredibly afraid.

White Sox reportedly "intrigued" by former top Dodgers prospect James Outman

Last year, Miguel Vargas was the only major league Dodgers position player to be dealt at the deadline in a three-way trade with the White Sox and Cardinals that netted LA Michael Kopech and Tommy Edman. Just days after he was shipped off to Chicago, Vargas went viral for looking miserable in the White Sox's dugout, and this year he's the the worst qualified player on the second-worst team in baseball. At least, if the Dodgers were to pull off a trade for Robert that included Outman, he and Vargas would be reunited...?

Robert, meanwhile, isn't faring very well so far this year either. He's batting .145 with a .514 OPS and is owed $15 million this season. The two club options in his contract still make him an attract get if he can bring back some of the promise that got him his first All-Star appearance, MVP votes, and a Silver Slugger in 2023, but both the White Sox and any interested teams will want to see more from him this year before a trade can happen.

Outman, like Vargas, would at least get more playing time in Chicago. That's a cold comfort, but it could be Outman's near future.