Overview
- The Mets put outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers on Saturday, opening a 48-hour window for other teams to claim him and assume the remainder of his contract.
- Any claiming club would take on about $3 million in remaining 2026 salary plus a $2 million buyout on a $20 million 2027 club option, roughly $5 million in guarantees in total.
- Robert has been a recent hot hitter, producing a multi-week surge with roughly a .311/.371/.623 line and six homers over a 19-game stretch, but he has missed nearly three months this season with a lumbar disc herniation.
- Contenders such as the Dodgers, Astros, Phillies and Blue Jays have been named as possible claimants in analysis pieces, though his injury history and weak trade market at the Aug. 3 deadline make a claim uncertain.
- Placing veterans on waivers late in August is a common roster and payroll move around the league, and the outcome will determine whether the Mets clear payroll and roster space or retain Robert for the rest of the season.