Aug 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher David Robertson (30) flips the ball to first base during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
David Robertson abandoned having an agent about six years ago and started representing himself.
"Nobody's running out to make a Gatorade commercial with me," Robertson said. "If I need shoes to wear or gloves, I can go get them."
Robertson was joking about it. He admitted that agents do a lot for players as far as getting contracts, creating structure, and getting through arbitration - which can be a difficult process as team executives try to tell you why you aren't worth more money, even though they still want to keep you working for them.
"A lot of players do need guidance," Robertson said. "But I'm 40 years old. I've been doing this for a long time. I got to a point where I felt I can have a conversation with someone and they tell me I'm not worth it and I say, 'O.K. No big deal. I'm a big boy. I can deal with it."
And that's what Robertson was dealing with for several months after the 2024 season and leading up to Spring Training. A lot of people telling him he wasn't worth it.
Robertson had just finished a very productive season with the Texas Rangers. It was his best season WHIP-wise since 2018. He felt like he still had a lot left to give.
But turning 40 made teams skeptical he could replicate that 2024 season again.
Robertson found that process a bit frustrating, but he understood it, and he was remaining principled for a reason.
"I can be open about it now," Robertson said. "I'm very open with everyone I speak to - every GM or President of Baseball Ops - anyone from any organization. And I'm always open with where I'm at [financially] because I don't want to waste their time and I know they don't want to waste my time.
"So, in the offseason I let everyone know that I saw myself at a higher [salary] number than I was probably projected to get. That said, even though I'm turning 40, I had a great year last and I didn't feel like I was trending downward. I still feel I'm trending upward."
David Robertson, K'ing the Side. pic.twitter.com/1X7k492Mm1
But executives around baseball weren't willing to buy that philosophy - and after talking to Robertson, they all passed.
"Some teams think I'm a moron for it," Robertson said of his asking price in the offseason, which he did not disclose. "Some didn't. It is what it is, right? It just got to a point in the offseason where I wasn't really willing to budge off of it. When it came to negotiating, I got close with a couple teams, but it didn't work out. At that point, I didn't feel like continuing to throw and do everything at home and work out to be ready to jump at a moment's notice. I didn't want to do that all season."
So, instead Robertson stayed home and spent time with his family. He started playing tennis again. He helped coach his son Luke's senior Little League team. All the while knowing that at some point in the season, teams would check back with him.
And they did.
The Phillies talked to him frequently. Reports started surfacing in May that they were on the horn with him. Robertson confirmed those reports were true.
"(Assistant General Manager) Ned (Rice) would call and check in all the time," Robertson said. "We talked pretty regularly."
Finally, Robertson started to ramp up his workouts.
He called teams around the league and told them he was throwing. He said that he was at a Spring Training level at the time in late June. In July, he threw a bullpen and said a lot of teams showed up to see it. A week later, he did another one, including an up/down, just to show that he was in good enough shape to do the job at the Major League level. From there, he had a few teams interested, and it was a matter of deciding which team was the best fit for him.
"Philly was always on the top of my list," he said. "We were damn close in 2022 and I was thinking I would love to run it back with these boys and try to get it done this time because there is nothing like this city when you are winning."
Robertson negotiated a very good contract with the Phillies. Considering he wasn't going to start throwing for them in Major League games until mid-August, getting paid $5.5 million (a pro-rated $16 million contract) is good money for two-plus months of work.
The Phillies are actually paying more than that, the balance is a tax for clearing the fourth tax threshold, so they are spending about $12 million for Robertson's services.
He signed on July 21. He went to Triple-A for a couple weeks to ramp up, and then debuted for the Phillies on Aug. 11. He's made six appearances for the Phillies. He's faced 23 batters. He's struck out 10. He's allowed just one run and four hits.
Aaron Nola on what Jhoan Duran and David Robertson have added to the team. 🕷️🔥
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/1wXmA1U7e6
"D-Rob's coming in and still doing it," said teammate Aaron Nola, who saw Robertson strike out the side in relief of him in the seventh inning of what would become a 6-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. "That guy's been around a long time and he's still getting big outs and just filling up the zone as [good] as ever. That's pretty awesome to see."
The Phillies made far bigger headlines at the trade deadline with the acquisition of Jhoan Duran, but the Robertson signing was a low key huge upgrade for a Phillies bullpen that needed it, big time.
Robertson will fill the role he needs to fill for the rest of the season and the playoffs, and regardless of the outcome, championship or not, Robertson doesn't feel like he's done. He won't say how much longer he feels he can still deliver as a high-leverage bullpen arm, but he doesn't want this to be his last rodeo.
"If I'm able to stay healthy and my elbow holds up, which - knock on wood - I have been very lucky that after having successful surgery there, I've been able to keep it going. I don't know if I'll always be the guy that's going to be on the back end, but I definitely could fit in a bullpen and get big outs in big situations for a long time," Robertson said. "I don't want to throw a number at you, but I'm just going to say I can definitely do it a couple more years, at least - especially if I'm only playing two months."
He laughed at that last line, but it is a path forward for an older pitcher — wait it out until it becomes apparent who needs pitching help, and then sign at midseason and be part of a playoff push. Is that how he sees it playing out?
"I don't know," he said. "There definitely is that feeling when you start a season with the guys and you build up," Robertson said. "Your baseball IQ goes up. Your feeling on the field goes up. Everything is a lot tighter and easier and it just comes more naturally every day when you're doing that routine. ... But it would have to be the right place and the right time and my wife let's me do it, because I'm not getting a divorce attorney."
For what it's worth, Robertson's wife Erin loves Philadelphia - which is one of the reasons he's back a third time. This time, to finish the job and bring a championship back to the city.
Sweet Home CBP for David Robertson 🔥
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/nvw08r3Lyg
And he can be a huge part of it in Red October - just so long as he doesn't hurt himself celebrating again.
"It was a one-time thing and the guys are just never going to let that one go," Robertson said laughing about the time he sprained his calf muscle celebrating in the 2022 Wild Card round. "I came back. I was only gone for one series. It was a big moment. Bryce (Harper) hit a bomb. I didn't know I was going to pop my calf."
Fair enough. As long as the only popping going forward is that of champagne corks, everyone will be happy with whatever Robertson does - both on the field and in the way he celebrates.
