The situation with the Mets and Luis Robert Jr. might be nearing an awkward conclusion—unless, of course, someone is willing to take a chance on him.
Robert was put on waivers as of Saturday, as confirmed by Joel Sherman. He now has a 48-hour window during which a contender could claim him, allowing him to still be eligible for their postseason roster.
In the Mets’ 6-2 victory over the Astros at Citi Field, he came in as a pinch hitter during the eighth inning. Interestingly, he can continue to play even while on waivers.
If a team opts to claim him, they would need to cover about $3 million left on his contract for the season, plus a $2 million buyout. However, if teams deem Robert, 29, is not worth the roughly $5 million, which seems likely given his performance struggles, he will end up back with the Mets.
Robert was brought in from the White Sox in January, with hopes he would be a crucial addition for a competitive season. Unfortunately, he faced injuries and has struggled at the plate, while the Mets have been spiraling downwards all season. They even attempted to trade him before the deadline without success.
During the early part of the season’s slump, Robert was sidelined with a herniated lumbar spine. When he got hurt, he was hitting a mere .224 with a .656 OPS and didn’t return until July 20.
Since his return, his average dipped to around .189, and his OPS fell as low as .597 following games on August 5. Although he managed to hit .311 with a .994 OPS over 19 games since then, leading up to Saturday’s game, he still had only 10 home runs and 23 RBIs, even with his recent improvement.
His chances for playtime have also been complicated. Rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have been performing well and are seen as more valuable for the Mets’ long-term plans than Robert. Additionally, Juan Soto has returned from a calf strain, and while the Mets will gradually reintegrate him as a designated hitter initially, he’s likely to play a significant role in the defensive lineup moving forward.
Robert might be owed $20 million next season through a club option, but it seems likely that the Mets—or any team that claims him—would prefer to pay the $2 million buyout instead.
Waiving Robert could help alleviate some of the congestion in the outfield. It could also result in some financial relief for the Mets. However, if the 48 hours pass without any claims, it will just become another minor detail in what has been a disappointing season—essentially a sign that the Mets are acknowledging a mistake made in the offseason.
