White Sox, Luis Robert agree to 6-year, $50M contract extension
The Chicago White Sox and top prospect Luis Robert agreed to a six-year, $50-million contract that includes two club options, the club announced Thursday.
2020: The Year of t̶h̶e̶ ̶R̶a̶t̶ La Pantera pic.twitter.com/wjuzdd5OF0
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The 22-year-old outfielder will begin the season in Chicago and won't be subjected to service-time manipulation, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. However, he'll have to earn a spot on the 25-man roster during spring training, notes Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Signing Robert gives the White Sox one extra year of control. If they had manipulated his service time, they'd have controlled him through 2026 as opposed to 2027, according to Passan.
Chicago has now invested $102 million into Robert after he got a $26-million bonus when he left Cuba in 2017 and the club paid an additional $26 million in taxes, according to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"I risked everything when I left Cuba to pursue this dream, and I know the whole process and my sacrifices will be rewarded," he said, according to Van Schouwen. "My next step is keep working as hard as ever, but now with more dedication and desire to help my team achieve our ultimate goal of winning championships."
MLB Pipeline's No. 3 ranked prospect slashed .328/.376/.624 with 32 home runs and 36 stolen bases across three levels in the minors during 2019. He's never played a single game in the majors.
The White Sox inked outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who also didn't have any MLB experience, to a similar deal last offseason when they signed the then-22-year-old to a six-year, $43-million pact. Jimenez went on to hit 31 homers with a .828 OPS in his rookie season.
In addition to the Robert contract, Chicago's front office signed All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal, veteran slugger Edwin Encarnacion, and left-handed starters Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez this offseason to complement a young, dynamic core. The club also re-signed first baseman Jose Abreu and traded for outfielder Nomar Mazara.
The White Sox tab for the winter now sits in excess of $240 million.
To make room for Robert on the 40-man roster, the team designated reliever Tayron Guerrero for assignment, according to James Fegan of The Athletic.