The Baltimore Orioles have added another bat to the mix, claiming outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets on Monday, according to SNY's Chelsea Janes.
Robert arrives with the kind of résumé that still makes people sit up and take notice. He was an All-Star in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, and even in a down season this year he put together 10 home runs and 23 RBIs across 218 plate appearances with the Mets while hitting .223/.303/.399. The speed was there less often, though, as he finished with just two stolen bases after swiping 33 last season.
There is also a financial piece to this move. Robert, 29, has about $5 million left on his salary for 2026, and his contract includes a $20-million option for 2027 with a $2-million buyout.
The upside is still easy to see. Robert has started to settle in during August, producing an .841 OPS since the month began, and he has been especially productive against left-handed pitching over his career with a .856 OPS. When he has been right, the power has been loud: in his lone All-Star season, he hit a career-high 38 home runs and posted an .857 OPS.
The challenge, as always with Robert, is staying on the field. Injuries have limited him throughout his career, and he has topped 110 games in a season only once.
For Baltimore, the timing is obvious. The Orioles entered Monday just one game back of the final wild-card spot in the AL, and Robert gives them another potential impact piece as they push into the stretch run.
In Other News...
Orioles Just Took A Desperate Outfield Gamble For Their Playoff Push
The Orioles added another layer to their outfield search by claiming Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the Mets, a move that speaks to how urgent the position has become down the stretch. Robert was once an All-Star center fielder and still brings the kind of power-speed mix teams covet, even if his recent seasons have been defined by uneven production and a long list of injury concerns.
For Baltimore, the appeal is obvious: the club needed more depth and more upside in the outfield after injuries and performance issues thinned the group. Robert gives the Orioles a player with real ceiling at a time when they are looking for any edge they can find, but the latest chapter of his career also leaves plenty of uncertainty about how much help he can provide and how quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Just Took A Costly Flier In The Wild Card Race
The Orioles made a surprising late-season move by claiming outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets, adding another layer of intrigue to a roster still trying to navigate the Wild Card chase. Baltimore is taking on the rest of Roberts salary and luxury tax obligations, a notable commitment for a team that has been cautious about its margins as the season tightens up.
Robert now has to be added to the 40-man roster, which means the Orioles will need a corresponding move before he can officially settle in. On the Mets side, his departure opens the door for outfielder Nick Morabito to be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, but the bigger question in Baltimore is how much this waiver claim will matter in the standings and what it says about the clubs willingness to spend for a shot at October. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Roster Shakeup Puts Spotlight On Baltimores Newest Arrival
A fresh round of roster shuffling has put the Orioles newest addition squarely in the middle of the conversation. Baltimore designated infielder Luis Vzquez for assignment to create room for outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who was claimed off waivers, while also sending right-hander Anthony Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk and bringing back left-hander Cade Povich, who is lined up to start the next game.
For Vzquez, the move leaves his immediate future unsettled after a brief stay on the major league roster and only limited big league experience behind him. If he goes unclaimed, Baltimore could end up with another decision to make, but for now the attention shifts to Robert and how the Orioles plan to use him as they continue to tweak the roster around their latest wave of movement. [Read more 🡒]