The Baltimore Orioles claimed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets on Monday, league sources told The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak about the move publicly.Robert is owed just under $5 million, including a $2 million buyout on his option for next season. The Orioles will absorb the money left on his deal, with the hopes that the veteran produces enough offensively to justify adding his salary for the season’s final month. The Orioles also hold a $20 million club option on him for 2027. The Mets are recalling prospect Nick Morabito to take Robert’s place on their active roster.The Mets, a 61-76 team with Major League Baseball’s second-highest payroll ($359 million, per FanGraphs), are off the hook despite not finding a taker for Robert before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. At the time, Robert was slashing just .197/.290/.320 and had recently returned from a long absence because of a lumbar disc herniation.
Since then, however, the right-handed hitter has hit .268/.325/.535 with six home runs in 80 plate appearances.The deadline for postseason eligibility for players moving teams is Tuesday, so Robert would be available to play for the Orioles in the playoffs. Baltimore is 68-69 and one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third American League wild-card slot entering Monday.Robert, who has played center and left field, owns a .702 OPS with 10 home runs this season. His recent offensive production and his athleticism on defense are reminders of why the Mets acquired him from the Chicago White Sox in an offseason trade.Robert spent the previous six seasons with Chicago, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 20 bases in 2023, his only All-Star season. Inconsistent performance and a rash of injuries, however, compromised his production and value. In each of the past three seasons, including 2026, Robert has failed to play more than 110 games.Robert’s spine issue this season opened an opportunity for rookie A.J. Ewing in center field. The Mets’ outfield at least appears set for future seasons, with star Juan Soto and rookie standout Carson Benge in left field and right field, respectively, and Ewing in center.
