The New York Mets have placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. The other 29 MLB teams now have 48 hours to put in a claim, although Robert can remain with the Mets while the waiver process plays out.
The move gives New York a chance to potentially clear some salary if another team claims Robert, who is owed roughly $4.89 million for the remainder of his contract, including a $2 million buyout. The Mets would also benefit from significant luxury-tax savings if another club assumes his contract.
Robert began his career with the Chicago White Sox as one of baseball’s top prospects and eventually earned an All-Star selection in 2023. That season, he hit .264 with 38 home runs, 20 stolen bases and a .542 slugging percentage. However, injuries limited him over the following two seasons, while his offensive numbers declined considerably.
The White Sox traded Robert to the Mets during the offseason as New York attempted to build a championship-caliber roster. Those plans quickly fell apart, though, as the Mets struggled badly and currently sit well outside the playoff race.
Robert also missed nearly three months after being placed on the injured list with a lumbar disc herniation on April 30. He returned on July 20, but the Mets were unable to find a trade partner before the August 3 deadline.
Interestingly, Robert has improved significantly since the trade deadline. After hitting just .197/.290/.320 at the deadline, he produced a strong .286/.342/.557 slash line with a 143 wRC+ across 79 plate appearances in August. His overall season numbers have consequently climbed to .228/.308/.407 with 10 home runs.
Robert remains an above-average athlete, ranking in the 90th percentile in sprint speed, while his defensive ability in center field has continued to provide value. If a playoff contender claims him, he would be eligible to join that team for the postseason, with the waiver situation needing to be resolved before the September 1 playoff eligibility deadline. If he clears waivers and stays with New York, the Mets are expected to decline his $20 million option after the season and instead pay the buyout.
