The New York Mets have placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. The team has not officially announced the move.
With Robert, 29, still owed approximately $3 million on his 2025 club option and $2 million to buy him out of next year’s $20 million option, another MLB team is unlikely to claim him on waivers unless a right-handed batter and good defensive outfielder is considered worth that price.
Teams have 48 hours from the time Robert was placed on waivers to make a claim. He has to be on a roster by Sept. 1 to be eligible for the postseason.
If Robert clears waivers, the Mets could opt to keep him on their roster as the Cincinnati Reds did this week with Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl. Both players are continuing to play for the Reds while on waivers.
Or a playoff contender might be interested in a player who’s hitting well in August with a .286/.342/.557 slash line, 6 home runs and 11 RBI. He’s also played well in center field, credited with 1 Defensive Run Saved and 1 Out Above Average by advanced metrics. Yet the Mets couldn’t find a willing trade partner when trying to deal Robert before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Putting Robert on waivers may also coincide with the Mets activating Juan Soto from the disabled list, though both played in Saturday’s 6-2 win over the Houston Astros so it wasn’t a one-for-one roster move.
Limited to 56 games after a lumbar spine herniation kept him on the injured list for three months, Robert has slashed .229/.310/.410 with 10 homers and 23 RBI this season.
Injuries have been an issue for Robert throughout his career. He’s played 100 games or more only three times in his six MLB seasons, appearing in a career-high 145 games in 2023.
Robert was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in January for infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitching prospect Truman Pauley after the team picked up hs $20 million club option for 2026. In six seasons on the South Side, he compiled a .259/.313/.455 slash average with 102 homers, 115 doubles, 298 RBI and 102 stolen bases.
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