Aug 21, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson (59) takes the ball relief pitcher David Robertson (30) during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Eric Hartline
Could David Robertson be an option to potentially help improve the Phillies' bullpen?
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the 40-year-old righty is ramping up with plans to pitch for someone down the stretch:
"Several teams, including the New York Mets and New York Yankees, have at least recently looked into Robertson, league sources said. Multiple teams expect to attend one of his throwing sessions within the next week."
One would think with how needy the Phillies are in the bullpen that they will be represented at one of the throwing sessions. Obviously, if he doesn't look good, then it wouldn't make sense to sign him. But despite his advanced age, there's reason to think Robertson still has something left in the tank considering he posted a 3.00 ERA and 2.65 FIP across 68 games for the Texas Rangers last season.
It's seemingly been the choice of Robertson — who serves as his own agent — not to pitch thus far in 2025. Surely, there's a money component to this, with USA Today's Bob Nightengale reporting back in May that Robertson had sought $15 million in the offseason. But it could work in his favor to just try to pitch down the stretch. One of the concerns with signing older relievers is that they will wear down in September and October. Not pitching from April through July would be one way to try to prevent that.
The Phillies, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, "reached out" to Robertson back in May, shortly before it was revealed that José Alvarado would be suspended for 80 games due to a failed PED test. Alvarado will be eligible to return to the Phillies on Aug. 19, but not able to pitch in the playoffs because of the suspension. So even though the Phillies have weathered this much of Alvarado's suspension, there is still clearly a need for reinforcements in Rob Thomson's bullpen.
This isn't to say that the Phillies should sign Robertson as their main bullpen move, as opposed to trying to pull off a major trade for one of the star relievers on the Cleveland Guardians or Minnesota Twins. Given that the Phillies are 23rd in reliever ERA at 4.38, there's probably room for multiple additions, even with the possibility that a key starter shifts to the bullpen in October.
If Robertson looks good at a throwing session and is willing to sign for a reasonable price to come in for a couple months, a third stint with the Phillies might make sense.
