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Luis Robert Jr. decision is a disaster for Orioles just 6 days later
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- Luis Robert Jr. decision is a disaster for Orioles just 6 days later
Luis Robert Jr. decision is a disaster for Orioles just 6 days later
The Baltimore Orioles decided this past week to go for it when they claimed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the New York Mets. Robert was placed on outright waivers with the Mets looking to shed the remainder of his salary with their season going nowhere.
For Baltimore, after a strong month of August they were right in the middle of the playoff race, leading them to add him to the 40-man roster as a high-upside offensive player with elite defense.
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The investment was costly, with the Orioles on the hook for $3 million for the remainder of the regular season along with a $2 million buyout for his 2027 contract, which is worth $20 million and unlikely to be picked up.
Unfortunately the decision looks like a disaster just six days later. Moments before Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore placed Robert on the 10-day injured list with left hamstring discomfort.
That means if Robert does not return this year, which is a possibility depending on the severity, the Orioles could be on the hook for just three games of production at roughly $1 million per appearance. Health has always been a persistent problem for Robert dating back to his time with the Chicago White Sox, so this is not surprising.
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His addition also looks particularly bad considering the Orioles are in the midst of a five-game losing streak and their playoff odds have fallen dramatically since Monday.
Robert's tenure in Baltimore may amount to just three games, during which he recorded just two hits across 12 plate appearances.
Manager Craig Albernaz will likely comment on the severity of Robert's setback after the game and whether or not it is season-ending, but it certainly looks like a costly mistake from Baltimore given where they currently stand.
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