Surprise

Well, you could’ve fooled me. Yes, White Sox GM Chirs Getz traded starter Adrian Houser for three minor leaguers, but centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. stayed put. Hmm. From what I could tell, Getz was looking at Robert as a player with two more years of team control, via separate $20 million team options. But other GMs saw him as more of a rental. In other words, they didn’t see Robert doing enough over eight-plus weeks to justify picking up his option. Agree to disagree, I guess. Personally, I have no problem with this. Robert plays Gold-Glove quality defense, and his offense is whatever he wants it to be. Maybe now he wants it to be on a level with his defense. Average it out, and nobody the Sox could replace him with would be as good. Sorry, Michael A. Taylor. What really amazed me was the reaction of various Sox pundits. I read one who said failing to move Robert would cost Getz his job, exactly why I have no idea. And some talking-head guest on WGN TV said the Sox should’ve traded Robert because—wait for it—they could then “close the book” on the past. Huh? And that figurative act was somehow more important than actually having someone play the position? Right now, Getz has some young catching and infield talent to go with a bunch of young pitchers in various stages of development; he does not have outfield depth. He’ll either have to trade for it or sign a free agent while hoping that Braden Montgomery, the one outfield prospect in the organization, can make the jump from Double-A to the majors at some point next season. Let’s see how he does.