Luis Robert Jr. has never been in this position before.
The 29-year-old admitted there were some weird emotions about having to switch teams midseason, but he understands why the Mets opted to place him on waivers this past weekend.
“It’s part of the business,” he said Tuesday through an interpreter. “They sat me down and explained the reason behind it, so at the end of the day I understand that it’s a business.”
With Robert being claimed by the Orioles, this Mets are now completely off the hook for the roughly $3 million remaining on his contract for this season.
The slugger has a $20 million club option for next year as well, but Baltimore could also buy him out for $2 million over the offseason and send him to the open market instead.
Before having to make that decision, though, the contending O’s will look him to help them in the midst of a tight and crowded American League Wild Card race.
They enter play on Wednesday one game under .500, and 1.5 games back of the Guardians for the final spot.
“It feels good, that’s what you play for from the moment you arrive at spring training,” Robert said. “Unfortunately it didn’t happen with the Mets, but I’m excited to have this opportunity here and to try to do it with this team.”
Baltimore appears to be getting Robert at the right time too, as he just finished off easily his best month to this point in the season, with six of his 10 homers coming in August.
The oft-injured outfielder has finally been able to find some consistency.
“Health is the biggest thing,” he said. “Unfortunately that’s been the thing that’s kept me off the field at different points in my career, but I’m definitely feeling good right now, and I think that’s what has led to this success.”
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