Astros Should Take Flier on Luis Robert Jr.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 22: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the New York Mets celebrates hitting a two-run home run during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Astros inability to address their poor offensive outfield production for the past 2 seasons continues to dog them as they come down the stretch, fighting for their playoff lives, clinging to a very narrow 2-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West with the Seattle Mariners lurking 4 games back.

There are 2 days remaining to get a player in your organization to make them playoff eligible on your roster. It’s time the Astros strike.

Luis Robert Jr. is not a player I would want to see the Astros sign for a full season. He is oft injured and has underperformed for 3 straight years. Now 29 years old, the odds of his suddenly being fully healthy and returning to his All-Star form are very low.

However, that isn’t the case here. The Astros don’t need him for a whole year. They need him for (hopefully) two months.

That short time period is exactly why the Astros should put in a waiver claim for him, as it has been reported Robert Jr. has been placed on waivers by the New York Mets.

Robert Jr.’s numbers this season are underwhelming. .228 AVG .308 OBP .716 OPS. Still, 10 HR in 189 AB is a very strong HR rate. 51 K in 189 AB is worrisome.

But at this point in the season, it’s not about what his season looks like. It’s about trying to catch lightning in a bottle. You want someone who can be hot and hot now.

In the month of August, Robert Jr. has put up very strong offensive numbers. .282 AVG, .338 OBP, .887 OPS with 6 HR and 11 RBI in 71 AB. He is 20×71 and has walked 7x. The 20K are still ugly, but that is still a production level the Astros have nothing close to in their outfield this season.

Is it possible he could find some rejuvenation being on a team with playoff aspirations? Certainly.

Is it possible he could maintain that level of production through September and October? It’s certainly possible, and there is only one way to know. That’s to place a bet on Robert Jr. for the last month (and hopefully an extra month of postseason) and call. There’s literally nothing to lose.

The Astros should put the claim in and find out.