Luis Robert Jr. just got traded to the New York Mets on January 20, 2026. After six years with the Chicago White Sox, he’s getting a fresh start with a team hoping his talent finally matches the expectations everyone had when he first arrived from Cuba.
His story isn’t simple. There’s incredible talent—a Gold Glove, an All-Star appearance, a Silver Slugger. But there’s also the injuries, the inconsistency, and the constant trade rumors. For baseball fans, he represents both immense potential and frustrating unpredictability.
Early Life
Luis Robert Moirán Jr. was born on August 3, 1997, in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Some sources also mention Guantánamo as his birthplace, but Ciego de Ávila is where he grew up and where his baseball journey truly began.
His parents are Luis Robert Robles and Miguelina Moirán Centeno. He has two older sisters, Yudeimis and Yaimer. Growing up in Cuba meant baseball wasn’t just a sport—it was part of the culture, part of daily life.
As a kid, he actually preferred basketball at first but eventually switched to baseball, playing on makeshift fields in his neighborhood with friends. That informal, passion-driven start is common for Cuban baseball players.
His family supported his athletic dreams despite the economic challenges typical of rural Cuban life. Resources were limited, but local coaches noticed his natural gifts—exceptional speed, hand-eye coordination, and pure athleticism.
Growing Up With Baseball
At age 16 in the 2013-14 season, he began playing for Ciego de Ávila in the Cuban National Series, hitting just .125 in 17 games against much older competition. It was a rough start, but he was learning against professional players while still a teenager.
Over the next three seasons, his improvement was dramatic. His average rose to .244 the next year, .305 in 2015-16, and .401 in 2016-17. His power numbers followed the same upward trend—from one home run in 2014-15 to 15 in his final Cuban season.
He represented Cuba in the 2015 18U Baseball World Cup, where he was named to the all-tournament team. Scouts were already watching, recognizing him as one of Cuba’s most exciting young talents.
By late 2016, he was leading the Cuban league in both on-base percentage (.526) and slugging percentage (.687). He was becoming a star in Cuba, but he had bigger dreams.
Journey From Cuba to Professional Baseball
In November 2016, Robert defected from Cuba to pursue a Major League Baseball career. This wasn’t a simple decision—it meant leaving family behind and risking everything for an uncertain future.
He initially established residency in Haiti in early 2017 before moving to the Dominican Republic to train and showcase himself to scouts. This waiting period was necessary to become eligible to sign with MLB teams.
The defection process for Cuban players involves real dangers—relying on smugglers, crossing borders through dangerous routes, and dealing with the fear that family members back home might face consequences. Robert went through all of this at age 19.
On May 27, 2017, Robert signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox that included a $26 million signing bonus. It was the second-largest bonus ever given to an international amateur player at that time, showing how highly the White Sox valued him.
Joining the Chicago White Sox
After signing, he didn’t jump straight to the majors. He reported to the DSL White Sox in the Dominican Summer League and played 28 games there, hitting .310 with three home runs and showing the speed everyone expected with 12 stolen bases.
The White Sox were so confident in his future that they did something unusual. In January 2020, before he’d even played a big league game, Robert signed a six-year, $50 million extension with Chicago. That kind of pre-debut contract was rare and showed how much the team believed in him.
He made his MLB debut on July 24, 2020, during the COVID-shortened season. The expectations were enormous—people were calling him a five-tool player who could do everything at an elite level.
MLB Career and Growth
In his rookie season of 2020, Robert won the Gold Glove Award. That immediate defensive recognition showed his natural ability in center field. He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting.
But staying healthy became the story of his career. On May 2, 2021, he suffered a complete tear of his right hip flexor that required three to four months of rehabilitation. He was hitting .338 when the injury happened, and the injury cost him most of that season.
In 2023, he had his best season—slashing .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 90 runs scored and 80 RBIs. He was named an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award. According to his official MLB profile, this remains one of the best seasons in White Sox history.
In 2025, he was limited to 110 games after dealing with a pair of left hamstring strains. His second strain left him out of action from August 26 through the end of the season. He hit .223 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs—solid numbers but below the standards he set in 2023.
He did set a career-high with 33 stolen bases in 2025, giving him 102 stolen bases and 102 home runs over 577 career games. That power-speed combination is rare and valuable.
The Trade to New York
On January 20, 2026, the White Sox traded Robert to the New York Mets in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley. The Mets are taking on his $20 million salary for 2026 completely.
The trade ends years of speculation. Robert had been in constant trade rumors since 2024, and he even said publicly before 2025 Opening Day that he was surprised he hadn’t been dealt in the offseason.
The White Sox had hoped to get more for him back when he was coming off his All-Star season in 2023. But injuries and inconsistency lowered his trade value. Still, getting anything for him was better than losing him to free agency for nothing.
For the Mets, it’s a calculated risk. They’re betting that playing alongside stars like Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto will help Robert unleash the talent everyone knows he has.
Playing Style and Physical Strength
Robert is 6 feet 2 inches tall (188 cm) and weighs around 225 pounds (102 kg). He plays center field, where his speed and arm strength make him a legitimate defensive weapon.
Offensively, he combines power and speed in ways few players can. When healthy, he can hit 30+ home runs and steal 30+ bases in the same season. That combination makes him extremely valuable.
His swing is powerful but sometimes inconsistent. He can look like an MVP candidate for stretches, then go cold for weeks. Striking out has been an issue throughout his career—he doesn’t walk much and can be vulnerable to breaking balls.
Defensively, as detailed on Baseball Reference, he’s won one Gold Glove and been a finalist for another. His range in center field is excellent when he’s healthy, and his arm prevents runners from taking extra bases.
Injuries and Comebacks
The hip flexor tear in 2021 was the most serious injury of his career. It required surgery and months of rehabilitation, costing him most of that season when he was hitting nearly .340.
Hamstring problems have become recurring issues. In 2025 alone, he dealt with two separate left hamstring strains that limited him to 110 games. These soft tissue injuries are concerning because they tend to keep happening once they start.
Part of the challenge is his playing style—he runs hard, steals bases aggressively, and plays an athletic center field position. All of that puts stress on his body, making injuries more likely.
When he’s healthy, he’s one of baseball’s most exciting players. The problem is that “when he’s healthy” has become the qualifier that defines his career.
Personal Life
Robert has two children: a daughter named Crisbell and a son named Luis Jr. He often mentions his kids as motivation for continuing to work hard and improve.
No public spouse or partners are documented. He appears to be single, focusing his energy on family and baseball. Unlike some players who embrace the spotlight off the field, he keeps his personal life very private.
In February 2023, Robert announced that he would utilize the “Jr.” suffix in his name, which would also be reflected on his uniform. This was a tribute to his father, Luis Robert Robles, honoring his roots and family connection.
He maintains strong ties to Cuba despite defecting. He was named to the Cuban national team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He, along with White Sox teammate Yoán Moncada, became the first active MLB players to play for Cuba after having defected.
Net Worth and Earnings
Robert currently plays under a 6-year, $50 million contract that he signed before making his MLB debut. The deal averages $8,333,333 per year. His salary has increased as the contract progresses.
The White Sox picked up his $20 million option for 2026, and he has another $20 million option with a $2 million buyout for 2027 before becoming a free agent. The Mets are now responsible for these payments.
According to baseball salary analysis on MLB.com, his career earnings through 2026 will exceed $50 million when combining his original $26 million signing bonus with his contract payments.
His estimated net worth is approximately $5 million. This accounts for his baseball earnings minus taxes, agent fees, and living expenses over his six-year career.
He likely has some endorsement deals, though nothing on the scale of baseball’s biggest stars. As his profile grows with the Mets in a larger market, endorsement opportunities could increase significantly.
Common Questions
Where is Luis Robert Jr. from?
He was born in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, on August 3, 1997. He defected from Cuba in November 2016 to pursue an MLB career.
What team does he play for?
As of January 21, 2026, he plays for the New York Mets after being traded from the Chicago White Sox.
Is he married?
There’s no public information about him being married. He has two children—daughter Crisbell and son Luis Jr.—but keeps details about relationships private.
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