Mets expected to make $20M decision with Luis Robert Jr. after 2026 disaster

Mets expected to make $20M decision with Luis Robert Jr. after 2026 disaster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets sold at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and one of the players they tried to ship out was Luis Robert Jr.

But there weren't any takers, and Robert stayed with the team through the deadline. Now, they're going to be facing a decision this upcoming offseason. That decision is all about his $20 million 2027 option.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale is reporting that the Mets are expected to decline that $20M option for next season after the disaster that has been his trade and $20M deal for the 2026 season.

"The New York Mets made a $20 million blunder taking center fielder Luis Robert off the Chicago White Sox's hands, but with another $20 million club option coming up, the Mets have learned their lesson," Nightingale writes. "They won't be touching this option..."

Considering how terrible Robert has been this season, posting a .645 OPS in 45 games played, it makes perfect sense why the Mets are not going to pick up his club option.

If it were a $5 million option, or something significantly cheaper, then maybe the Mets would give him another chance. But at $20M, there's no reason to accept this option.

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The Mets made a mistake acquiring him in a trade with the White Sox last offseason, and after failing to trade him this summer, not picking up his $20M 2027 option is their only real option.

Robert was a former All-Star and 38-homer slugger, but he's struggled mightily the last few seasons, and even missed significant time for the Mets this year.

With a massive $20 million option on the table, the Mets have no reason to consider accepting such a contract on their books next season.

Robert will hit free agency, and while he could come back to the Mets on a cheaper contract, he's more likely than not to sign a one-year prove-it deal with some other team as he tries to return to All-Star form from the 2023 season.

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