Veteran reliever David Robertson recently expressed his intent to pitch during the 2023 season, stating that he feels “feels like next season will be a lot easier and I’ll be more prepared,” as reported by The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.
After pitching to a 2.76 ERA in 626 2/3 innings (with 137 saves) from 2009-2018, Robertson joined the Phillies ahead of the 2019 season on a two-year, $23MM deal with a $12MM club option for the 2021 season ($2MM buyout). However, after only seven appearances, Robertson underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery and suffered a setback during his rehab, forcing him to miss the entire 2020 season. His club option was subsequently declined by the Phillies.
After missing the prior two seasons, the righty pivoted to the Olympics and helped Team USA qualify for the Tokyo Games. In the break before the games, the righty signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League and pitched a handful of innings. Returning home with a silver medal, Robertson joined the Rays on a major league contract and reported to Triple-A Durham before joining the major league team in September. With the Rays, Robertson pitched 12 innings, allowing 6 earned runs, and striking out 16 of the 50 batters he faced. He was selected to the Rays’ post-season roster, pitching four scoreless innings in the ALDS against the Red Sox.
After the 2021 season, Robertson signed a one-year, $3.5MM contract with the Cubs, with up to $1.5MM in incentives. In Chicago, Robertson recaptured his 2000-2018 form, pitching to a 2.23 ERA with 14 saves in 40 1/3 innings, with a robust 30.9% strikeout rate and 47.8% groundball rate — albeit with a high 11.5% walk rate.
Robertson’s strong performance on a rebuilding team made him a top trade target at the deadline, and on August 2nd he was shipped to Philadelphia in exchange for pitching prospect Ben Brown. Robertson continued his strong work with the Phillies, pitching to a 2.70 ERA in 23 1/3 innings with a 30.3% strikeout rate. However, Robertson’s walk rate increased to a high 16.2% and his groundball rate fell to 43.4%.
After missing the NLDS due to a hurt calf suffered celebrating Bryce Harper’s home run, Robertson returned to the Phillies’ bullpen, pitching 2 2/3 innings in the NLCS, allowing one run, and pitching a scoreless inning (so far) in the World Series. Robertson is a free agent when the 2022 season concludes, and joins a deep reliever market including Aroldis Chapman, Edwin Diaz, Kenley Jansen, and teammate Corey Knebel.
Wooooo, David! Congratulations!
He’s an example of a guy that has more value in his experience than his actual stuff. His stuff is ok, but having a guy that has successfully pitched the 9th inning and done it relatively well is hard to find. Kenley Jansen is another example. Put those guys in a vacuum, and they probably aren’t great closer options, but having proven they can handle the big moment, they are still viable options, albeit with lesser stuff than they used to have.
if you don’t think David Robertson only has “ok stuff” then you must’ve never seen him throw a breaking ball. that thing is absolutely vicious to watch
Not to mention he has one of the highest K/9 in the history of MLB. 11.9 K/9 is quite insane especially since he doesn’t rely on 100+ mph
he looked pretty terrible in game 1 of the WS
Does stuff actually matter in this context when DRob can get results? It’s typically younger guys with stuff that has to prove that they can consistently handle the 9th.
I keep forgetting that Corey Knebel was on the Phillies this season.
Or Jeurys Familia
Good for him, I’m glad he landed on his feet. Right before the Rays signed him late in the 21 season I thought his career was over. I was surprised when the Rays gave him a Major League contract late in the season.
Come back to the Yankees
Robertson is okay, he is a bit uneven at this point in his career.
I would not sign him to a big contract that is for sure
Yea. His Philly redemption tour hasn’t been very good. He’s resilient, but very hittable. Also can get wild.
D-Rob turns 38 at start of next season. Likely too old and too expensive for the White to re-sign him.
Nitpicking, but his stats with the Rays are incorrect. It would be really difficult to face just 22 batters in 12 innings. He struck out 16 of 50 batters that season.
My apologies. Thank you for pointing that out!
He’s been very shaky in Philly, but he was solid in Chicago before that.
1-1 Von, not a bad start. They take 2/3 in Philly and the series is theirs for the taking! Go Phillies!
It’s going to be tough with the pitching matchups, but let’s do it!
Von, we need to split the two games started by Thor and Ranger and then hope Nola and Wheeler can be the best versions of themselves. Hey, today is Halloween. Maybe Thor will come out disguised in a Mets uniform and throwing 99 mph bullets!
Some of the nastiest curveballs I have ever seen in person. Wishing him success in the World Series and next year.
He should.
Robertson is a free agent when the 2022 season concludes, and joins a deep reliever market including Aroldis Chapman, Edwin Diaz, Kenley Jansen, and teammate Corey Knebel.
===========================
I’m not sure I’d describe that as deep. Diaz is great., Jansen is good, and Chapman and Knebel aren’t promised anything. They’ll be a brawl over Diaz, but the other three will linger.
After quitting on his team, Chapman will be lucky to get a major league offer at all.
there’s always a team willing to take a flier on a guy with his potential. I could see a team like the Rays throwing a couple million at him. They’ve had a lot of success in the past with this strategy.
@joe. I can see Chapman getting the blacklist treatment like Puig. It does look pretty bad that the guy wasn’t even trying to keep team commits when they were a playoff team.
Knebel is still decent
He was fantastic with the Cubs this past season. Great pickup by Hoyer.
I’d be k with him back in Philly as long as he’s not expecting big money or to be the closer ..
His overall walk rate on the season was a career high, but it isn’t too far off from his early years with the Yankees when he earned the nickname Houdini. He could walk the bases loaded and then K the next three hitters. He was always good and eventually reduced his walk rates. High rotation on his curve, and had one of the longest strides of any pitcher despite being listed at 5’11” (likely an inch shorter), so his fastball played up. This is his first full season back in the majors post TJS. Command is the last to return so his high walk rate is not surprising. I’m sure he’s also dealing with some fatigue late in the season. Both should improve next season so I can see quite a few teams being interested depending on price. Not sure I’d sign him to more than a one year deal, but some team might go two.
He should join Los Karens the way he cries like a baby. Hearing him still complain about the Astros is a joke, what a weakling.
Can’t believe they left the great Jeurys Familia off the available free agent list.
It’s doesn’t surprise me at all when older players say they want to continue their careers. If I had the talent I’d would continue as long as they handed me MLB contracts with the money these guys currently make.
He would be a solid piece in the bullpen. Wouldn’t mind Phils resigning him for one year.
Yep, reliable bullpen arms are hard to find. I’d be fine with the Phillies bringing him back on a modest one-year deal. Could be a solid 6th or 7th inning option along with Brognan leading to Alvarez and Seranthony.