The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the teams expressing interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., according to Francys Romero on Twitter/X. Romero notes that the New York Mets and San Diego Padres are also interested.

After being named an American League All-Star for the first time in 2023, Robert had his second straight subpar season for the White Sox in 2025. The 28-year-old slashed just .223/.297/.364 with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 100 games. He did, however, finished fifth in the American League with 33 stolen bases and was in the 93rd-percentile with seven outs above average in center field.

Though he’s struggled at the plate over the last two seasons, Robert looked to be emerging as one of the game’s top young players after a breakout campaign in 2023. Robert has battled injuries in his career but played in a career-high 145 games that season. He finished 12th in the American League MVP race and won a Silver Slugger after batting .264 with an .857 OPS, 36 doubles, one triple, 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Strikeouts have been an issue for Robert and are a big reason for his struggles in recent seasons. Over the past two years, he’s struck out in nearly 30% of his plate appearances. Even in his breakout season in 2023, he struck out 172 times in 595 plate appearances.

Robert is owed $20 million this coming seasons and has a club option valued at $20 million again for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.

The Pirates have been looking to make lineup upgrades all offseason. They’ve been aggressive on the free agent market — including empty pursuits of Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Polanco — but have yet to add a bat via free agency. The only free agent agreement the Pirates have made so far is with left-handed reliever Gregory Soto for one year and $7.75 million.

As for the offense, the Pirates acquired Jhostynxon García from the Boston Red Sox but have come up short in adding established help to their lowly offense.

Given that the Pirates have already been outbid on multiple players this offseason, general manager Ben Cherington could choose to focus his attention on the trade market to land an impact bat.

In addition to Robert, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan and the New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil are among the players the Pirates have reportedly expressed interest in.

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A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 1 p.m. for counties south of Allegheny County, and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Allegheny County and others to the north. 

National Weather Service issues Winter Storm Warning

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of the Pittsburgh area along and south of I-70 for today and Sunday due to what they described as “a band of heavier snow.” 

As of Friday evening, nearly all of the Pittsburgh area is expected to see between two and four inches of snow. 

In Pittsburgh, the estimate is 3-5 inches and 5-10 for the ridges. 

Snow will be coupled with frigid temperatures

As the snow tapers off around midnight Sunday morning, it will remain scattered, but cold air will follow, leaving the low temperatures in the single digits, and the wind chill below zero as gusts could reach up to 15-20mph. 

Road crews prepare for winter storm

Crews across western Pennsylvania say that they’re prepared for the impending snowfall. 

In Allegheny County, there are two dozen trucks and more than 9,000 tons of salt at the ready. 

Even with the preparations, they’re asking those who don’t need to go out to stay off the roads in order to give them the space to clear them.