ROBERT ON WAIVERS
The Mets have reportedly placed center fielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers, giving every other MLB club an opportunity to claim him and assume the money remaining on his contract.
The move does not mean Robert has been released or traded. If no club claims him, he remains with New York. MLB.com reported the move from a source; the Mets had not formally confirmed it at publication time.
The financial decision
Robert is owed approximately $3 million over the remainder of 2026. His contract also includes a $20 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. A claiming club would assume the remaining obligations, while the Mets would receive payroll relief but no player return.
Why the timing stands out
Robert is batting .229/.308/.407 with 10 home runs and 23 RBIs, but his August production has been considerably stronger: six home runs and a .557 slugging percentage across 23 games.
The Mets could therefore lose him at the moment his offense is beginning to resemble the upside that motivated January’s acquisition.
Watch: Robert’s walk-off homer
The cost of the experiment
New York acquired Robert from the White Sox for Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley. His first Mets season was interrupted by a lumbar-spine injury. Juan Soto’s return and younger outfield options have created competition for playing time, but the larger question is whether short-term savings justify ending the experiment without receiving another baseball asset.
Until the waiver process concludes, Robert remains a Met.
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