Luis Robert Jr. Claimed by Orioles
The New York Mets placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on waivers on Saturday, and he was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, according to reports from MLB News. The move ends Robert's tenure with the Mets after he was acquired as one of the team's top offseason additions.
The Mets will save the remaining guaranteed money on Robert's contract, which amounts to a little more than $5 million, as reported by MLB News. AM New York noted that Robert's contract includes a $20 million team option for 2027, which the Mets are unlikely to exercise, and that exercising the option would trigger an additional $2 million buyout, bringing the remaining salary to about $5 million.
A Season of Injury and Resurgence
Robert, 29, spent much of the season on the injured list. He missed nearly three months due to a lumbar spine herniation, as reported by both AM New York and MLB News. In 58 games with the Mets, Robert hit 10 home runs — six of which came in August — and posted a .702 OPS, according to MLB News.
His season was marked by a slow start and a late surge. AM New York reported that Robert was made available at the trade deadline but posted a .347 OPS in the seven games leading up to Aug. 3. In his final 21 games with the Mets, however, he slashed .288/.347/.576 with six home runs and 11 RBI, per both outlets.
Manager Andy Green reflected on Robert's tenure, saying, "I think he closed out the chapter really well," as quoted by MLB News. Green added, "Certainly, the chapters that preceded this last one were frustrating from an availability perspective, just keeping him on the field, and he was clearly playing through a lot earlier on. But it was fun to watch him play well."
Robert previously hit 38 home runs with the Chicago White Sox in 2023, when he was named an American League All-Star, as noted by AM New York.
Mets Pivot to Youth
With Robert's departure, the Mets are turning to younger outfielders. MLB News reported that Nick Morabito, the team's No. 13 prospect, will be activated when rosters expand on Tuesday. Morabito, the No. 75 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut in May and went 0-for-11 in five games, according to MLB News.
Green said of Morabito, "It won't be an everyday thing for Nick up here, but he'll get ample opportunity to show what he has," as quoted by MLB News. "I know the first callup, he would have loved to have gotten that first hit out of the way, so would love to see that happen pretty quickly for him."
Joining Morabito will be pitcher Justin Hagenman, who is scheduled to pitch Wednesday's game against the Rays, per MLB News.
Robert's roster spot was taken by infielder Mark Vientos, who was activated from the injured list on Monday after missing about seven weeks with a fractured right hand, as reported by MLB News. Vientos hit three home runs at Triple-A on Sunday and was batting cleanup in the Mets' series opener against the AL East-leading Rays.
MLB News also reported that Vientos has 11 home runs and a .644 OPS in 73 games with New York this year. Green said he expects Vientos to get starts at first base against some left-handed pitchers.
Looking Ahead
AM New York noted that the Mets had hoped to find a taker for Robert after his late-season resurgence, given his contract. The outlet also mentioned that David Stearns had planned for Robert to be part of the 2026 lineup, along with Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, and Bo Bichette. Rookies Carson Benge and AJ Ewing have established themselves as the future of the Mets' outfield alongside Juan Soto, according to AM New York.