According to several reports from baseball journalists two days ago, the Chicago White Sox exercised their option on Cuban outfielder Luis Robert Jr. for the 2026 season, meaning the Cuban will remain with the White Sox for another year. To date, the native of Ciego de Ávila,Cuba has only played for the team on the South Side of the Windy City.
“The White Sox exercised Luis Robert Jr.’s $20 million option for the 2026 season, several sources confirmed to me. The first to report it was Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The Chicago franchise could have declined the option and paid him a $2 million buyout, which would have made Robert a free agent. However, the 28-year-old outfielder will continue for another season with the South Side team,” posted colleague Francys Romero on his social media.
With his 102 career home runs, Robert Jr. is now just one shy of tying Tony González for 20th place all-time among Cuban players. Furthermore, his 33 stolen bases this past season set a new personal record. The last Cuban to steal at least 33 bases in an MLB season was Leonys Martín in 2013, with 36.
Robert Jr.’s overall numbers in the 2025 season gradually improved. He finished with a .223 batting average, a .297 on-base percentage, a .364 slugging percentage, and a .661 OPS. Robert had 26 extra-base knocks, 14 home runs and 12 doubles, among his 85 total hits.
The upcoming season will be his last under contract with the White Sox, after the franchise exercised its option on the Cuban player. Therefore, he will become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, at 29 years old, seeking a contract that will allow him to remain in Major League Baseball for at least another decade. To achieve this goal, he will need to improve his offensive performance and, above all, avoid the injuries that have plagued him throughout his career.
