The Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. gamble could be coming to an unceremonious finish — but only if someone is keen to pay for it.
Robert was positioned on waivers Saturday, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed, giving him 48 hours to doubtlessly land with a contender and still be eligible for their postseason roster.
The outfielder pinch hit in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 6-2 win over the Astros at Citi Field and can proceed to play while on waivers.
Luis Robert Jr. watches his home run during the seventh inning of a current
recreation against the Braves at Truist Park. Getty Images
If a team decides to claim him, they’d owe the approximate $3 million remaining on his contract for this season plus a $2 million buyout.
If other MLB groups determine that Robert, 29, isn’t price the roughly $5 million, a doubtless consequence based mostly on his struggles, he’d finish up back with the Mets.
They acquired Robert from the White Sox in January, hoping the deal would deliver a lacking piece for a contending season, but Robert missed time due to an damage in addition to underwhelming at the plate. The Mets spiraled toward a lost 12 months. And then they unsuccessfully tried to commerce Robert forward of the deadline.
Through most of the early-season free fall, Robert was out of the lineup with a lumbar backbone herniation. At the time of his damage, which in the end sidelined him until July 20, he was hitting just .224 with a .656 OPS.
Once he returned, his batting common dipped to as low as .189 — and his OPS as low as .597 — after the Mets’ Aug. 5 recreation.
And while he’d hit .311 with a .994 OPS across 19 video games since then, coming into play Saturday, Robert has still collected just 10 homers and 23 RBIs even after his current uptick in manufacturing.
His path to taking part in time also grew to become difficult. The Mets have obtained sturdy contributions from rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, who both issue into their long-term future more than Robert.
Juan Soto returned from a left calf pressure Saturday, too, and while the Mets will ease him back into the lineup as designated hitter initially, he’ll issue into the defensive equation in 2027 and beyond.
Robert could be owed $20 million next season via a club choice, but the Mets — or any team he’s claimed by — would doubtless pay the $2 million buyout instead.
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Their determination to waive Robert could assist resolve that outfield logjam.
It would also save the Mets cash. But if not, if the two days move with out him getting claimed, it becomes just another footnote in a disappointing 12 months, another signal of the Mets admitting an offseason mistake.
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