As anticipated, the Phillies will decline their $12MM club option on reliever David Robertson, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter link). The veteran righty will instead be bought out for $2MM.
This marks the end of a union that didn’t at all go according to plan. Robertson’s durability was a big reason the Phils guaranteed him $23MM over two years during the 2018-19 offseason. Unfortunately, he blew out just seven appearances into his first season, eventually requiring Tommy John surgery. While it seemed at one point he might be able to make it back to the mound for the tail end of 2020, a setback ultimately prevented him from pitching again.
Now 35 years old (36 in April), Robertson figures to face a tough market this winter. He has an excellent track record and was still a high-end bullpen piece in 2018 (his last full season), but his age and recent injury history may force him to work his way back onto an MLB roster via a non-guaranteed deal.
If you’re getting bounced by the worst bullpen ever- you know you’re bad.
It’s not that he’s bad. It’s that he hasn’t really pitched in 2 seasons.
Back to the Yankees where he has done his best work.
I’d welcome that
Ditto
Where he’ll probably sign a one year deal, do well, rebuild his value…and then sign elsewhere again.
Too bad for the Phillies. Roberston pitched 60+ innings from 2010 through 2018. Then the Phillies got him and he gets TJS. Too bad for Robertson as well. Gonna cost him millions.
He made $3.5M per strikeout as a Phillie. Still not as much as ATL paying $9M per strikeout to Hamels. smh
Cashman will sign him to a make good one year deal. Robertson will do fine, then move on
Hope so. I love d-rob. He should be a bargain signing and cash will need all of those he can find, so it is a possibility.
This is the perfect Chaim Bloom addition. Proven veteran available at discount pricing. Get it done, Chaim!
Ya think?
Good reminder of why I’m just some dude on the internet as opposed to an actual GM.
I *really* wanted the Yanks to bring back D-Rob. Expressed my concern as to what a bad decision it was (“he’s so durable, man!”).
Ooops.
He should have hired an agent. If he did, he’d be getting paid this year.
Not sure.
His deal was inline – maybe even better – than what Britton & Ottavino signed for (Britton similar AAV with a “swell opt”, topped Ottavino’s AAV with an option tacked on).
I think he did just fine for himself. And saved 10%!
I believe they got three years guaranteed. But I’m open to be wrong.
Ottavino did but Britton did not
He owes the Phillies a season making league minimum.