The Dodgers had a chance to add a veteran bat at a time when their offense has been fighting to find its footing. Instead, that opening went to Baltimore.
Luis Robert Jr. was placed on outright waivers by the New York Mets, setting off a 48-hour window for the rest of the league to make a claim. MLB Trade Rumors’ Connor Byrne reported it this way: “The Mets have placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The league’s other 29 teams have 48 hours to claim Robert, who is eligible to continue playing for the Mets during the process,”
That is the kind of move that can matter for a club looking for immediate help, and Dodgers Nation’s Nelson Espinal made the case for Los Angeles to jump in.
“Robert Jr. has the ability to help the depth of the Dodgers and give their two struggling outfielders some competition as well. He comes at a somewhat high cost given his season-long production, but if he can keep hitting the ball as he has recently, he would immediately help the offense. As everyone knows, the Dodgers spare no expense if it can help the team win games, and it is hard to argue Robert Jr. wouldn’t be an upgrade,” Espinal wrote.
The Dodgers did not land the veteran outfielder. Baltimore did.
“The Baltimore Orioles take a $5 million gamble and claim CF Luis Robert Jr from the Mets. Chelsea Janes on it,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.
That leaves Los Angeles watching a player it could have used head elsewhere while its own offense remains under pressure. Robert’s appeal is clear when he’s healthy, even if that has been an issue this season. He has made $93 million in his career and won a Silver Slugger, and now he has a new home with the Orioles.
For the Dodgers, the missed claim stands out because of where they are right now and what the roster needs. With the offense still needing a lift and injuries in the mix, Robert would have offered another experienced option. If he finds his form in Baltimore, this one could end up looking like a costly miss for Los Angeles.
In Other News...
How One Forgotten Padres Trade Still Could Pay Off For Dodgers
Back in March 2022, the Dodgers sent Matt Beaty to the Padres in a deal that barely registered at the time, but it has quietly become one of those transactions that can keep paying dividends long after the original headline fades. The return was River Ryan, a prospect who developed quickly enough to climb into the Dodgers top 15 by the end of 2023, while Beatys path went the other way after a brief minor league stop with the Diamondbacks and then a recent retirement announcement.
Ryans rise has already given the Dodgers more than they seemed to be getting for a depth piece, and the ripple effect is still the part worth watching. He was later packaged in a trade to Detroit for Tarik Skubal, and Skubal has improved since arriving in Los Angeles, which only adds another layer to a move that started as a simple roster shuffle with San Diego. [Read more 🡒]
New Padres Owner Just Added Heat To The Dodgers Rivalry
The Padres officially ushered in a new ownership era this week, introducing Jos E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones, as the franchises new controlling owners. The pair take over after the death of Peter Seidler, and the sale came with a staggering $3.9 billion price tag, a reminder of how high the stakes have gotten in a division where the Dodgers and Padres have turned every season into a measuring stick.
Feliciano said he wants to build on Seidlers legacy and bring a championship to San Diego, but he also made clear he understands what comes with owning a club that shares a rivalry with the Dodgers. He even noted his connection to Dodgers owner Mark Walter, which only adds another layer to a matchup already loaded with tension, ambition and the kind of big-money ownership battle that now shadows the on-field one. [Read more 🡒]
Dodgers May Finally Have The Left-Handed Spark Their Lineup Needs
With September call-ups approaching, the Dodgers are weighing a few roster tweaks that could help them sharpen the lineup for the stretch run. One clear priority has emerged: adding a left-handed bat, something manager Dave Roberts has acknowledged as part of the teams late-season thinking. Along with the possibility of activating catcher Will Smith from injury, Los Angeles is looking at its Triple-A options with an eye toward fit as much as familiarity.
James Tibbs III has put himself in the conversation after a strong run at Triple-A, making him a compelling candidate if the Dodgers decide they want another left-handed spark. He is not the only one in the mix, either, since other left-handed hitters at Oklahoma City with major league experience could also factor into the final weeks. For a club trying to line up the right pieces before October, the question is less about whether reinforcements are coming and more about which lefty gets the call. [Read more 🡒]