With less than two weeks before the 2025 trade deadline, the Phillies made a notable move on July 20 — but not a trade. The Phillies signed David Robertson, a free agent since November and member of the team’s 2022 NL championship, to a one-year deal. It’s a move that will fortify a bullpen in flux.
A Look at Robertson
Despite what was a very strong 2024 season, David Robertson didn’t sign with a Major League team until late July. However, it’s not because he didn’t pitch well last season. He did.
Last year with the Rangers, Robertson struck out 99 over 72 frames, as the ex-Texas reliever played a key role in holding down the late innings for the team. Robertson heavily limited well-hit contact (5.5% Barrel%).
Manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Kirby Yates for most of 2024 as the team’s closer, which led to Robertson only getting two saves.
Robertson’s 12.4 K/9 ranked 11th-best among relievers with 50+ IP thrown last season.
Generally speaking, one would think many of those strikeouts, and in turn, whiffs, would come in the zone. However, that wasn’t the case with Robertson, an over-the-top pitcher with a devastating cutter that’s become the go-to pitch in his arsenal.
Robertson’s cutter plays up thanks to above-average carry (16.8” IVB) that comes with the pitch, which again comes from a very high arm slot. It gives the cutter a rising effect, even though it’s not because of gravity.
What it, does, however, is give Robertson an effective weapon that can beat both righties and lefties, interesting given cutters are traditionally thrown against opposite-sided hitters.
Aside from the cutter, Robertson can change the look with other pitches. He used his signature hard curveball, an offering that sat in the mid-80s last season. He’ll also sporadically work in a slider, change, and two seamer.
Per reports, the Phillies will give David Robertson a one-year, $16MM deal that will pay him roughly $6MM in prorated salary. That money is close to the $7MM mutual option he declined with the Rangers back in November.
Analysis
When the Phillies lost Jose Alvarado for the 2025 postseason thanks to a PED suspension, it seemed more likely than not the team would target a high-end reliever. Robertson, 40, might not have been on many individuals’ radar.
Robertson was reportedly throwing for teams, with the Mets & Yankees — two teams he previously pitched for — publically in the mix. Instead, the Phillies, who he pitched for in 2022, get the righty.
Obviously, there are the unknowns, as Robertson hasn’t pitched in an MLB game this season. It also possible Robertson isn’t the only reliever added to the Phillies’ bullpen come the trade deadline, so his role may not be dicatated until then. (As a note: the Phillies have cycled through Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering in the late-innings to replace Alvarado in the interim).
Nonetheless, Robertson’s proven to be a steady hand over the last few seasons. Including, in 2022, when he struck out 11 over 7.2 IP in the playoffs, including four shutout innings in the World Series.
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