Orioles reporter drops intriguing Luis Robert Jr. take

The Baltimore Orioles recently signed Luis Robert Jr. off waivers, not long after he was let go by the New York Mets. It was a move that gave the club an outfielder with a history of solid hitting for the final stretch of the regular season to help with a potential push for the playoffs.

But what about after the 2026 campaign? Would the Orioles ever consider picking up the 29-year-old’s $20 million option if he plays well in September and maybe helps Baltimore reach the postseason? Orioles reporter Steve Melewski admits he sees it as a possibility while guest-appearing on “Foul Territory.”

“I would not rule that out,” Melewski said about the front office potentially picking up Robert’s $20 million option. “Because if you look at this season, the outfield offense has been very disappointing. Now, that is a gamble on top of a gamble for $20 million. So, they’re going to give him $5 million, as it is in this month. But if he’s just a platoon player, I guess not. I don’t know.

“How would you know in a month? What if he has a great month? That still doesn’t tell you he’s gonna be healthy and good next year,” Melewski continued. “But I would not rule it out. But at least the option is there for the Orioles that they don’t have to give up a player, they don’t have to beat somebody in free agency, and here, they could get an outfielder who does have a silver slugger on his resume.”

"They don't have to beat somebody in free agency for an outfielder with a silver slugger."@SteveOnBaseball isn't ruling out the O's picking up Luis Robert Jr.'s $20M option if he has a good month… pic.twitter.com/vFGaAh6XCG

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 4, 2026

Luis Robert Jr. has played in just 60 games this season, as he missed about three months due to a lumbar spine disc herniation. Through 201 at-bats, the seven-year veteran has recorded 45 hits, 11 home runs, and 26 RBIs, giving him a .224 batting average and .301 OBP. He’ll have a chance to improve upon those numbers on Friday in the Orioles’ second matchup of a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox.

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