AL East Team Claims Luis Robert Jr. Off Waivers For Playoff Stretch Run

August 31, 2026 , ,
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He was a bust in his first year in Queens, so the New York Mets decided to move on from Luis Robert Jr. by placing him on waivers. The Baltimore Orioles have jumped in to claim the former All-Star. The O's will now owe Robert Jr. the remainder of his $20 million salary for the season (just over $3 million). There's also a $20 million team option for 2027, though it's hard to imagine the Birds will pick that up. He can be bought out for $2 million. 

Luis Robert Jr. is a wild card for the Orioles, who are trying to earn a Wild Card berth

The 29-year-old Robert was placed on outright waivers over the weekend after playing only 58 games with the Mets. He batted just .223 with 10 home runs, 23 RBIs and a .702 OPS. It was three years ago, in 2023, that he fulfilled all of the hope the Chicago White Sox had for him as a top prospect, clubbing 38 homers with 80 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and an .857 OPS. 


But injuries have derailed Robert's career in each of his other six seasons in the big leagues. He's missed 369 games over his career, including nearly three months this year for New York with a lumbar spine disc herniation.


But if he can stay healthy (he's been back for well over a month) and put up something even remotely close to the numbers he's capable of, he could be a real wild card in the Orioles' batting order, as they try to sneak into the final Wild Card berth in the American League. 


Baltimore currently sits just one game back of the Cleveland Guardians, with the Toronto Blue Jays just a half-game behind them. 


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