*Photo from NBC Sports*
The Chicago White Sox have extended top prospect Luis Robert for 6 years and $50 million, according to the team. Robert's deal includes two club options. The extension doesn't guarantee a major league roster spot, Robert will have to earn one in spring training. The club options are for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, and are worth $20 million. Both options have $2 million buyouts. Robert will earn $1.5 million in 2020, and his annual salary tracks up after every year, earning $15 million in 2025, the last guaranteed year of his contract.
With the extension, the White Sox now have $102 million committed to Robert, they paid him a $26 million signing bonus out of Cuba and another $26 million in taxes. Robert said of the extension that “Hopefully this year I will finally make my dream come true of playing in the big leagues, I risked everything when I left Cuba to pursue this dream, and now I know the whole process and all my sacrifices will be rewarded. My next step is to keep working as hard as ever, but now with more dedication and desire to help my team achieve our ultimate goal of winning championships.”
Robert, who was MLB pipeline's number 3 prospect last season, hit .328 with 32 homers and 36 RBI across 3 minor league levels last season. He gets his extension having not played a single game in the majors. The White Sox signed OF Eloy Jimenez to a similar deal last offseason, and Jimenez also didn't have any major league time. He hit 31 homers in a breakout rookie season in 2019. Relief pitcher Tayron Guerrero was DFA'd to make room for Robert on the 40 man roster.
The White Sox have had quite a busy offseason. In addition to Robert's extension, they extended 1B Jose Abreu. They also signed free agents Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Gio Gonzalez, and Edwin Encarnacion. They also traded for OF Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers. They have now spent over $240 million this winter, and will exceed the luxury tax threshold this season.
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