The Rays were among at least four teams that placed a claim for Luis Robert Jr. when the Mets waived him in late August, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Kevin Acee of The San Diego-Union Tribune previously reported that San Diego placed a claim as well. Robert ended up with the Orioles, while the identity of the fourth team is unclear — though it must have been a team that had a better record than Baltimore as of August 31.
Tampa Bay had the best record in the American League and the second-best record in MLB (behind Milwaukee). They accordingly were only ahead of the Brewers in waiver priority. Robert never made it to Tampa Bay, but the Rays wouldn’t have known that when they filed the claim.
It’s ultimately a footnote but demonstrates some willingness to spend on the part of first-year owner Patrick Zalupski and the front office. Robert had just under $3MM in remaining salary for the 2026 season. He’s also guaranteed a $2MM buyout on a $20MM club option. The Rays were willing to commit nearly $5MM to add him for the final few weeks of the regular season and the playoffs.
Baltimore instead came away with Robert to aid what they hoped to be a playoff push. It hasn’t worked. Robert went 2-11 with one home run in three games before suffering a left hamstring issue that sent him to the injured list. It’s unclear if he’ll return this year. The O’s theoretically could put him back on waivers, but Robert wouldn’t be eligible for postseason play with another team and would almost certainly go unclaimed now.
The Orioles were one game back in the AL Wild Card race at the time of the claim. They’ve gone 2-7 since then and dropped three games behind the Guardians for the last playoff spot. Toronto and Texas are one and two games back, respectively, so the O’s need to jump three teams. Six of their final 15 games are against the Blue Jays. They need a 10-5 finish to get to .500 and probably need 11 or 12 wins the rest of the way to get to October.
Tampa Bay has no such concern. They’re playoff locks and could become the first team to clinch if they beat Houston tomorrow. The Rays are trying to maintain a 3.5 game edge on the Yankees for a division title and the #1 seed in the AL.
Cedric Mullins has been Tampa Bay’s starting center fielder all season. He’s playing well defensively and has 19 stolen bases, but he’s hitting .204/.287/.345 across 472 plate appearances. Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade are righty complements to an all left-handed hitting starting outfield of Mullins, Chandler Simpson and Victor Mesa Jr.
Mullins and Robert are both likely to be bought out and hit free agency this offseason. The Rays could find themselves back in the center field market if they want to keep Simpson in left. Center field prospect Jacob Melton, acquired from the Astros in the three-team Brandon Lowe trade, has had an injury-plagued season in Triple-A but could compete for the job next spring. Daulton Varsho and Trent Grisham are other impending free agents at the position.
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