It has been well documented that the Philadelphia Phillies need bullpen reinforcements. Philadelphia has one of the most complete rosters in Major League Baseball. One of the strongest starting rotations consists of Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, and Christopher Sanchez; however, their bullpen has been a sore spot thus far this season. The Phillies’ bullpen has a 4.30 ERA and is ranked 23rd in bullpen ERA.
For a team with World Series aspirations, those marks are not going to bode well in October. As the trade deadline looms, Philadelphia is rumored to be in on multiple bullpen arms, but they made a notable move today that essentially serves as a trade addition.
Phillies Sign Free Agent Reliever David Robertson
The Philadelphia Phillies made a notable roster move today by signing reliever David Robertson. Robertson was originally thought to be between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, but ultimately signed with the Phillies. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first on the news. The financials of the contract are a prorated salary of up to $6 million.
Robertson had yet to sign with an MLB team before the Phillies, as he was looking for the right contract. The 40-year-old reliever had a solid 2024 campaign with the Texas Rangers. He had a 3.00 ERA over 72 innings and recorded 99 strikeouts. Robertson, who has played with many teams over his 16-year career, spent two seasons with the Phillies back in 2019 and 2022. Over 30 innings with the Phillies, he posted a 3.30 ERA and 36 strikeouts.
For Philadelphia, they have been in desperate need of bullpen help this season. The addition of Robertson certainly makes the Phillies’ bullpen group more respectable. Here is what Steve Adams of MLBtraderumors.com had to say about the signing:
“This is Robertsonâs second free-agent deal with the Phillies and the third time overall that the Phils have acquired him. He inked a two-year, $23MM deal in the 2018-19 offseason that didnât wind up paying off for the team, as the typically durable reliever wound up requiring Tommy John surgery and pitching only 6 2/3 total innings during the life of that contract. Philadelphia reacquired the righty in a 2022 trade that sent young righty Ben Brown back to the Cubs, and Robertson was excellent as the Phillies mounted a charge all the way to the World Series.”
Phillies Bullpen Outlook
As the trade deadline looms, it was expected that the Philadelphia Phillies would target a high-leverage right-handed reliever, and it seems like they may have gotten their guy with Robertson. Robertson had an impressive 12.4 K/9 last season and a WHIP of 1.111. Unclear how Philadelphia will use the 40-year-old reliever, but it’s likely to be in a setup-type role, but he also may get closer opportunities.
His only flaw last season with the Rangers was that he wasn’t great in save opportunities. He finished the season with just two saves in 68 total appearances out of the bullpen.
Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, made it clear earlier this month that the bullpen was their top priority. Well, they make a big splash with just over 10 days to go before the trade deadline by adding Robertson to the bullpen.
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