The Orioles just made themselves a bigger problem for the Guardians.
Baltimore moved on Tuesday to claim Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on waivers before the deadline that determines postseason roster eligibility, a pickup that could ripple straight through Cleveland’s September path. The Orioles had already been creeping into the Wild Card conversation, and this move only sharpens their profile as a team the Guardians will have to track closely down the stretch.
Robert’s arrival gives Orioles manager Craig Albernaz - the former Guardians bench coach - another option to work with. He may not have become the player the White Sox once envisioned when they handed him a six-year deal before he had even played a big league inning, but he still brings real value.
The Mets went into Monday at 61-76 after trading for Robert in the offseason with hopes he could be the final piece of a title push. Instead, the season has gone sideways, and Robert’s year has followed the same script. He has appeared in only 58 games because of the same injury issues that slowed him with Chicago.
When he has been on the field, though, he has been productive enough to matter. Robert is hitting .233/.303/.399 with 10 home runs, and he has been solid in center field with +1 Outs Above Average. He is not the same explosive player he was earlier in his career, but he is still a useful one.
That was enough for Baltimore, which will take on the remaining $2.9 million on Robert’s deal for this season. The Orioles are also on the hook for the decision on his 2027 contract situation, either a $20 million team option or a $2 million buyout.
Robert joins an Orioles outfield that already includes Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers, Christian Franklin and Leody Taveras, and he stands out as the best piece in that group.
For Cleveland, the timing matters just as much as the player. Baltimore is close enough in the Wild Card race to keep showing up on the scoreboard watch, and the Guardians will get a direct look next week when they head to Camden Yards for a three-game series that could carry major weight in the standings.
In Other News...
Clase And Ortiz Face A Damaging New Twist In Cleveland Case
Federal prosecutors say the Cleveland Guardians pitchers at the center of the alleged pitch-rigging and betting case did more than simply face accusations tied to baseball integrity. In court filings, they allege Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz tried to mislead Major League Baseball investigators about their involvement, deepening a scandal that has already put the club in the middle of one of the sports uglier legal fights.
Both pitchers have pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy, fraud, money laundering and sports bribery, and the case is now headed toward a November 2 trial. Prosecutors contend the pair ran afoul of MLBs Rule 21, which bars betting on baseball, while also attempting to hide payments and their roles during the leagues inquiry, adding another layer of risk for a franchise still waiting for this case to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Bullpen Move Comes With One Roster Twist To Watch
The Guardians are set to get a little more flexibility as September roster expansion gives the club a chance to shuffle some pieces around. Right-hander Carlos Hernndez will be added to the major league roster to fill an open spot on the 40-man, while utility man Daniel Schneemann is also coming back up from Triple-A Columbus to give Cleveland some extra bench depth.
Hernndez has been in the organization on a minor league deal and recently returned from injury, which makes his promotion a notable step as the team evaluates its bullpen options down the stretch. Schneemanns recall gives the Guardians another versatile bat and glove to work with, and the move creates one roster wrinkle worth keeping an eye on as Cleveland sorts out how it wants to use its expanded September group. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Spark Debate With September Choice On Intriguing Young Bat
The Guardians' September roster move brought a little bit of everything, with the club adding Daniel Schneemann and Carlos Hernandez as the expanded roster opened the door for help down the stretch. But the most interesting omission was Ralphy Velazquez, a first baseman whose minor league performance has made him one of the more intriguing young bats in the organization. His name had been in the conversation for a look, especially with rosters growing and the season entering its final month.
Instead, Cleveland is taking a cautious path with Velazquez, and the reasoning appears tied to bigger-picture concerns about how a potential MLB lockout next season could affect his development. The choice has already drawn some second-guessing, mostly because Velazquez is at a stage where every opportunity matters and the immediate upside is hard to ignore. For now, the Guardians are betting on patience, even if the decision leaves plenty of room for debate about when the next chance will come. [Read more 🡒]