MLB insiders need to stop trying to make a Luis Robert-Dodgers trade happen

The Dodgers are in search of a corner outfielder, and preferably one who can play better defense in right than Teoscar Hernández. Kyle Tucker is the target of the offseason, but recent reporting suggests that the Dodgers — while they'll be in on his market no matter what — might not be willing to be the highest bidders.

They have backup plans, of course. They're expected to revisit their failed trade deadline deal with the Guardians for Steven Kwan, might be in on Cody Bellinger, and they have Ryan Ward and Dalton Rushing, who need somewhere to get major league reps.

If none of Tucker, Bellinger, or Kwan's arrivals happen, there are a few more serviceable outfielders on the free agent market (Mike Yastrzemski, Max Kepler, Harrison Bader, Rob Refsnyder) and more that may be available via trade. The Red Sox are expected to move one of Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu this offseason and the White Sox, as always, are expected to field a couple of calls about Luis Robert Jr.

Robert has been connected to the Dodgers on and off a lot over the past few years, but the rumors have fizzled out as Robert's bat and health have followed suit in Chicago. Robert has consistently been an above-replacement player even when he's not reaching All-Star or MVP candidate heights, but that's not saying much. In 2024 and 2025, he hit .223 with a .660 OPS.

Dodgers-Robert rumors are passé at this point, but Jim Bowden of The Athletic couldn't resist beating that dead horse. In a breakdown of how the Dodgers could optimize their roster ahead of their attempt at a three-peat, he mentioned Robert as a potential defensive upgrade for the outfield.

Jim Bowden restarts long-dead trade rumors around Dodgers and Luis Robert Jr.

Robert is still an outstanding defensive player, but the guy can't stay healthy. He's only played in more than 100 games in a single season twice in his six-year career; this past year, he still only played in 110. Not only that — all of the power on full display in 2023, when he hit a career-high 36 homers, has dipped and leveled out ever since. He hit 14 homers in 2024, 14 in 2025, and had only 31 extra-base hits through both of those seasons.

The White Sox still might be able to make an interesting case for Robert as a trade candidate to a team that's in more desperate need of an outfielder (or who can't afford guys like Tucker or Bellinger), but the Dodgers shouldn't give them what they'll want. Prospect resources would be much better allocated toward a Kwan trade.

Robert might be able to recover his old form on a team that's not as helpless as the White Sox, but the Dodgers would be much better off letting someone else take that chance.