Oct 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher David Robertson (30) celebrates the Phillies getting the last out for the victory over the Houston Astros during the tenth inning during game one of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Jerome Miron
The Phillies officially announced the signing of veteran reliever David Robertson to a deal for the remainder of the 2025 season Monday, a pact that Ronald Blum of The Associated Press says will pay him a prorated amount of $15,718,310 across the final 71 days of the 186-day MLB calendar.
Phillies' president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski met with the media Monday afternoon, including Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice. Dombrowski said that special assignment scout Charlie Kerfeld saw Robertson throw in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday and advised the team to sign him.
Kerfeld estimated that Robertson is at the stage that pitchers normally are around March 10 in Spring Training, guessing that he'll need about 15 days in the minors before being ready to join the Phillies.
In speaking to reporters at Citizens Bank Park Monday, including Matt DeGeorge of The Delaware County Times, Robertson said that he's hoping to make at least three or four appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and get a back-to-back in before rejoining the Phillies. He added that he has to be at Lehigh Valley for a minimum of 15 days because he was optioned.
His teammates, particularly the ones who have gone to battle with him before, are excited for when Robertson rejoins them in red pinstripes.
"I love D-Rob, man," Aaron Nola said. "It's good for him to be back. He's a good teammate. I mean, good pitcher. Shoot, he's pitching at 40 years old still. You know he had a good year last year too."
Nick Castellanos and Bryce Harper — both of whom were teammates with Robertson on the 2022 club that won the National League pennant — talked about what the veteran righty is going to bring to the team.
"Consistency ... a veteran who works hard ... been there, done that. Excited to have him," Castellanos said.
"Yeah, it'll be good," Harper said. "Great guy, should be fresh, should be healthy. So excited to add him."
Rob Thomson on David Robertson: “I think he’ll be great for some of the younger pitchers.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/CwVTUVuJMN
There is, clearly, still work to be done in the bullpen. Robertson posted a 3.00 ERA and 2.65 FIP across 68 games for the Texas Rangers last season, so there's reason to believe he can still be effective. But a Phillies bullpen that will enter play Monday 23rd in bullpen ERA at 4.33 needs multiple additions.
Robertson, though, is a start. There's a level of trust with a guy that won the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, played in the 2022 Fall Classic with the Phillies and has 16 MLB seasons under his belt.
And even guys who themselves have demonstrated remarkable longevity marvel at the fact that the 40-year-old righty is still going.
"This is the third time that I've been with him now, which is pretty cool," Nola said. "I'm glad we're able to bring him back, and I feel like it's a testament to what a good teammate he is and a good guy too."
