Luis Robert traded? Atlanta Braves ‘in communication’ with Chicago White Sox

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are warming up on the field, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos is doing the same off the field as the MLB trade deadline approaches on Tuesday.

According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Braves “have been in communication” about a trade with the Chicago White Sox.

Heyman added that he wasn’t sure who – or what – the Braves were focusing on, but he cited White Sox outfielder Luis Robert as an ideal candidate if the Braves were willing to spend, which he called a “big if.”

Other names Heyman mentioned that “could also be interesting” include left-handed starting pitcher Garrett Crochet, right-handed starting pitcher Erick Fedde and veteran outfielder Tommy Pham.

Reports surfaced Saturday that the Braves are unlikely to address their starting rotation at the deadline, in part because of the impending return of left-hander Max Fried and the continued rise of rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach.

So Crochet, who is expected to fetch a significant amount of money if traded, and Fedde, who is 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA, don’t seem like very likely trade targets.

But Robert, if the value matches, makes a lot of sense for Atlanta.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound player needs a makeover. Last year, he was an American League All-Star, won the Silver Slugger and finished 12th in the MVP rankings after hitting .264 with 38 homers and 80 RBIs.

But this year hasn’t gone as planned for Robert, who missed much of the first two months with a right hip flexor strain and has struggled since returning. For the season, Robert has hit 12 homers, driven in 24 runs and is batting .214/.287/.449.

Atlanta’s outfield, however, needs reinforcements. Center fielder Michael Harris II, who suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in June, is not eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until Aug. 14. Star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season with a torn ACL.

For several weeks, Jarred Kelenic has been a revelation at the top of Atlanta’s lineup, but he’s hitting .098 over his last 15 games. From left, the Braves’ starting outfield in Sunday’s 9-2 win over the New York Mets consisted of Luke Williams, Ramón Laureano and Adam Duvall.

Robert, 26, who is signed through 2025 with club options in 2026 and 2027, offers intriguing short- and long-term potential.

Pham, meanwhile, is set to expire. He signed a minor league contract with Chicago on April 17 and joined the major league club nine days later.

An 11-year veteran, Pham is hitting .266/.331/.382 in 69 games and 267 at-bats. He has hit five home runs and has 18 RBIs to his credit.

While not flashy, Pham, 36, would instantly improve Atlanta’s current situation in the outfield while providing 31 postseason appearances, including 16 during the Arizona Diamondbacks’ run to the World Series last year.

The MLB trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. Tuesday.