Circle of MLB transactions is complete with NY Mets officially losing Luis Robert Jr.

This might actually be the best outcome for the New York Mets. Instead of landing with a geographical, divisional, or rival of any other kind, Luis Robert Jr. will head to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Mets put him on waivers over the weekend and with around $5 million left owed to him this year plus $20 million or a $2 million buyout for next year lurking, the Orioles thought their 68-69 record and 1 game out of the AL Wild Card hunt made the the right candidates to fork over the cash to take a chance on Robert.

The Orioles had a fascinating trade deadline where they sold some parts, like Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, and Taylor Ward. They kept others with free agency looming such as Trevor Rogers. Good on them for paying the cash to take a chance on Robert. In the process, they’ve completed the circle of MLB life.

The Orioles are one of the most ironic teams to claim Luis Robert Jr. from the Mets

Things change quickly in the MLB landscape. Just look at the Chicago White Sox. They were trying their hardest to sell Robert last summer but asking for a lot in return. They shifted gears in the offseason when nobody nibbled and practically handed him off for nothing more than a salary dump to the Mets. The worthwhile risk only bit the Mets hard because so much else didn’t go their way.

While the Mets were right in the thick of hunting for Robert in July of 2025, they ended up finding what they hoped was a solution with Cedric Mullins. Oh. The. Irony. About 13 months later, the Orioles are taking a center fielder with some of those some questions from the Mets.

Mullins was a different kind of disaster in New York. Hitting .182/.284/.281 and making a few boneheaded mistakes in the field and on the basepaths. If you listen carefully, you can still hear him not running to second base after Daylen Lile missed a ball in left field.

The game of center field musical chairs is an ongoing one in MLB as the position has certainly faded in terms of volume of top-tier players. Mullins, much like Robert, was once a rising star. Now he’s one of those guys who’s bound to continue to get one-year deals until someone gets fooled into offering more.

Center field has been patrolled by Leody Taveras and Colton Cowser down in Baltimore. A switch-hitter and a lefty, Cowser has played exceptional defense with an 8 OAA. Could the Mets’ little experiment of seeing what Robert can do in left field be a factor for the Orioles? With Ward gone, Dylan Beavers has been their most used player at the position. Worth -7 OAA, the Orioles gain a player who will either help them capture a Wild Card spot or end up costing them nothing but time, some cash, and maybe a few headaches.

Most thrilled: Steve Cohen. As wealthy as he is, who doesn’t want $7 million back? It’ll cover 70% of David Stearns’ salary next year.

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