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Phillies To Acquire David Robertson From Cubs

By Anthony Franco | August 2, 2022 at 2:50pm CDT

The Phillies have made a notable addition to their bullpen, reportedly acquiring David Robertson from the Cubs. Pitching prospect Ben Brown is going back to Chicago in return.

Robertson was arguably the top bullpen arm available this summer. The veteran righty signed a one-year, $3.5MM deal with Chicago during Spring Training. He quickly emerged as the club’s primary closer, saving 14 games during his 36 appearances. Robertson tossed 40 1/3 innings of 2.23 ERA ball, striking out over 30% of opposing hitters while inducing ground-balls at an above-average 48.3% clip. The 37-year-old has issued a few more walks than one would like (11.5%), but Robertson’s cutter-curveball combination is easily handling opposing hitters. He’s generating swinging strikes on a strong 13.7% of his offerings that’s not too far off the rates of his best days with the Yankees and White Sox.

A former All-Star, Robertson was a durable and atypically consistent reliever for the bulk of his time in New York and on the South Side of Chicago. That led to a two-year contract with the Phils over the 2019-20 offseason, but Robertson’s first stint in Philadelphia didn’t go as hoped, though not through any fault of his own. Robertson blew out his elbow just seven games into that deal. He missed the rest of 2019 and ’20 recovering, then returned midway through the 2021 campaign with the Rays. Since getting back to health, Robertson has a 2.75 ERA through 52 1/3 frames. The Phils will take another shot on him to bolster the mid-late innings mix.

Robertson will be a free agent at the end of the year. In addition to his base salary, he’s on pace to reach all of his incentives (including a $100K trade bonus), which would bring his total salary up to $5.1MM. Still, for a pitcher with his track record, that’s a reasonable price to pay. The Phils bullpen has been solid of late, but the club has had longstanding issues finding consistent results in the back end.

In exchange for their low-cost dice roll on Robertson, the Cubs recouped a half-season of excellent work and eventually turned him into a longer-term addition to the organization. Brown, 22, was a 33rd-round pick back in 2017. The 6’6″ hurler has had a breakout 2022 season, pitching to a 3.08 ERA through 73 innings at High-A. He’s fanned 35.4% of opponents against a 7.7% walk rate. Baseball America recently ranked him the #7 prospect in the Philadelphia system, praising his plus fastball-slider combination but suggesting sporadic control could eventually push him to a bullpen role. Brown will have to be added to the Cubs 40-man roster this winter to avoid being selected in the Rule 5 draft.

Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the Phillies were acquiring Robertson. Robert Murray of FanSided reported Brown’s inclusion in the deal.

Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.

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View Comments (97)

Comments

  1. Neon Cop

    8 months ago

    Who’s getting Contreras??

    Reply
    • iverbure

      8 months ago

      Bluejays shoulda been in on Robertson assuming he’s vaxxed.

      Reply
      • Joe says...

        8 months ago

        I don’t think you’re supposed to say the V word.

        Reply
      • coolhandneil

        8 months ago

        All Cubs were vaxxed.

        Reply
        • MichaelSallaFan

          8 months ago

          @coolhandneil
          But do they take their bi-yearly boosters too?

      • bluejays92

        8 months ago

        Yeah I was really hoping we’d get him. Always been a fan of him, super underrated reliever.

        Reply
    • DonnyElementary

      8 months ago

      I don’t think the Mets are going to budge on a prospect.

      Reply
  2. VonPurpleHayes

    8 months ago

    Hope it goes better than last time

    Reply
    • raltongo

      8 months ago

      I mean.. it almost HAS to, right?

      Reply
    • DakotaJoe

      8 months ago

      I know, but just yesterday there was an article talking about how high the Phillies were on Brown. He struck out 105 over 73 innings this year and has a decent 3.08 ERA. Seems like a lot for Robertson.

      Reply
      • YourDreamGM

        8 months ago

        Top deadline relievers cost a lot. But yeah tuff to move Brown.

        Reply
  3. DarkSide830

    8 months ago

    HE’S BACK

    Reply
    • OKBaseballFan

      8 months ago

      LET’S GOOOOO

      Reply
    • Francys01

      8 months ago

      Good addition to the bullpen. Good job by Dombrowski.

      Reply
  4. BobbyVwannabe

    8 months ago

    Why??? Phillies are terrible.

    Reply
  5. Balk

    8 months ago

    Nice

    Reply
  6. Stone

    8 months ago

    OH? A reunion from Phillies legend David Robertson?

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      8 months ago

      Robertson owes PHI so much money — they wanted to cash in the IOU he handed them.

      Reply
    • Pete'sView

      8 months ago

      Damn, I was hoping the Giants would pick him up.

      Reply
  7. dmbphils27

    8 months ago

    Now this is better!! But who did we give up??

    Reply
    • DonnyElementary

      8 months ago

      Decent class High A starting pitcher prospect.

      Reply
  8. king beas

    8 months ago

    Bring back Brodie….jk

    Reply
  9. ThonolansGhost

    8 months ago

    Three trades in the last six minutes.

    Reply
    • Josh5890

      8 months ago

      A little over two hours to go. Hold on to your butts!

      Reply
      • DonnyElementary

        8 months ago

        I didn’t get any work today, Jack. And I got stuff due tomorrow.

        Reply
  10. dabrewcrew

    8 months ago

    running it back

    Reply
  11. jdrushton

    8 months ago

    He still owes us a refund from the last time he was a Phillie.

    Reply
    • dmbphils27

      8 months ago

      They got 3 appearances and paid him $24MM

      Reply
      • jdrushton

        8 months ago

        Only $8 million per appearance

        Reply
  12. ShawnMcCullough

    8 months ago

    #DFAmilia. Good move to strengthen the bullpen which has finally been decent this year.

    Reply
  13. shocktop

    8 months ago

    Holy balls, tell me it was sort of a three team trade and that the Phillies got Brandon Marsh to trade to the Cubs for Robertson. I would LOVE that.

    Reply
  14. BrettPhillips for Prezident

    8 months ago

    This is a good trade

    Reply
    • Jonny5

      8 months ago

      For the Phillies, yes. They only gave up their #26 ranked prospect. Cubs got fleeced.

      Reply
      • 16

        8 months ago

        Try #7 prospect

        Reply
      • lemonlyman

        8 months ago

        Ben Brown has been quickly rising through their system and many viewed him as way higher than 26th prospect in their system. Cubs got a good player here.

        Reply
        • drasco036

          8 months ago

          Yeah I like the Cubs return actually…. Brown has been mowing them down this season in high A.

      • DonnyElementary

        8 months ago

        Not really. Robertson is a rental. He didn’t have very much trade value.

        Reply
        • northsidecrossrifles

          8 months ago

          I guess it depends on your definition of value, but he was the best rental reliever on the market, so yes he had value.

          Also Ben Brown has been lights out since his return from TJ. He’s already at A+ and with his numbers and stuff, he will likely be at AA sooner than later. The people saying he is currently a 26th rated prospect for the Phillies aren’t looking at the bigger picture.

          This should be viewed in the same light as when the cubs got Caleb Kilian last year as one of the pieces for KB. At the time, lay people thought Kilian was a poor prospect. After the season when prospect lists were released, he was fringe top 100 and has even appeared on some lists this season. It often takes the eval industry time to catch up on the value of prospects in comparison to MLB clubs.

        • DonnyElementary

          8 months ago

          I agree. I don’t think the Cubs were fleeced here. For Cubs that are disappointed, this wasn’t going to be like last year when the Sox overpaid for Kimbrel’s 0.49 ERA.

      • MudyChicken

        8 months ago

        List is probably made in Jan. Red Sox 26th ranked prospect Ceddanne was just add to Baseball America’s top 100 players in all of baseball.

        Ben Brown: High A—Starter, 12.9 Ks per 9, 1.041 WHIP — He’s no 26th ranked prospect. The list you’re going by is out of date.

        Reply
      • Tick Tock Clock

        8 months ago

        I know. This is trash Cubs should have got at least a top 10 Phillies prospect for Robertson

        Reply
        • cubsmatt

          8 months ago

          Some lists have Brown in the Phillies top 10. Apparently this was a breakout year for him. 105 strikeouts in 70 something innings in A+. I’m happy with this return for a guy we signed specifically for this purpose.

      • adkuchan

        8 months ago

        Inside the Phillies page had Brown as #8 as of 7/21.

        Reply
  15. desertdawg

    8 months ago

    Cubs maybe holding onto Contreras to long, Robertson gone. C’mon Cubs don’t get left holding make the best deal you can.

    Reply
    • northsidecrossrifles

      8 months ago

      If it means the cubs have to settle for a low-ball offer for Contreras, then its better to hold onto him, submit a qualifying offer, and get the comp pick if he walks and an extension can’t be reached. If the cubs accept a low ball offer, that just tells other GMs that all they have to do in future deals is wait out Hoyer and Hawkins and they’re likely to get an offer more suited to their liking. This is what Theo Epstein struggled with when he was running the cubs, and he constantly got taken for rides in trades.

      Reply
  16. Stros18

    8 months ago

    Thought for sure the Cubs would make him and Contreras a package deal. They must be completely unrealistic about their asking price for a C rental

    Reply
    • rondon

      8 months ago

      You don’t get the #7 prospect in a farm system for a “C rental”.

      Reply
  17. shocktop

    8 months ago

    What a garbage can return for Roberston in my opinion.

    Reply
    • MC Tim C

      8 months ago

      Agreed. Ben Brown is the Phillies 26th ranked prospect per MLB.com which is basically worthless.

      Reply
      • Tick Tock Clock

        8 months ago

        Cubs bout to get like the 15th best Mets prospect for Contreras lol

        Reply
        • Dogbone

          8 months ago

          Remember PCA LOL.

      • DonnyElementary

        8 months ago

        Brown is having a good year. He’ll probably be reevaluated upward now that he’s been traded.

        Reply
      • jduello

        8 months ago

        The article says he is their #7 prospect. Is reading that hard for people on here?

        Reply
        • DonnyElementary

          8 months ago

          They probably commented while article said more to come. Baseball America is more up-to-date than MLB Pipeline.

      • YourDreamGM

        8 months ago

        Mlb.com is wrong

        Reply
        • DonnyElementary

          8 months ago

          And MLB has now slotted Brown as #11 for Cubs.

  18. pwndroia

    8 months ago

    DD blowing up the farm

    Reply
  19. SausageOfDoom

    8 months ago

    Damn, I was hoping the Yanks would get him again, again.

    Reply
  20. Silent Bob23

    8 months ago

    Is Robertson the new Phillies closer then?

    Reply
    • cpdpoet

      8 months ago

      Thomson has been giving Dominguez/Hand the “high leverage” roles. Depending on who comes to the plate in the 8th, then he chooses the better option…

      Reply
  21. MudyChicken

    8 months ago

    Dombrowski gutting another farm system. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

    Reply
    • cpdpoet

      8 months ago

      Yeah you probably had this on your cut and paste all day…waiting…..feel free to use it on the Brandon Marsh thread as well….
      That narrative is so weak. DD is a HOF GM…..

      Reply
      • Philly 6

        8 months ago

        Agreed… I have no problem with the moves today..

        Reply
  22. Gocubsgooo

    8 months ago

    Well,that’s underwhelming

    Reply
  23. duhawk83

    8 months ago

    Underwhelming

    Reply
  24. Catuli Carl

    8 months ago

    WTFFFFF?

    Reply
  25. bravesallrhe way

    8 months ago

    Cubs got fleeced, damn braves where were you get Michael Taylor now hurry up 2 hours left nice pickup Philadelphia I wish the braves got him

    Reply
  26. jimbob

    8 months ago

    Weak return for a closer with playoff experience who has been lights out all year. Brown isn’t top 20 in a bad farm system. Look like Jed outsmarted himself.

    Reply
    • willyb

      8 months ago

      Ummmm Ben Brown is Philly’s #7 prospect… I’ll suggest doing a little research about the guy before trashing the move… sounds like things have really started to click for the guy – 12.9 k’s per 9 for example

      Reply
  27. bravesallrhe way

    8 months ago

    not a single word about Will Wilson Contreras from trade rumors in the last 6 hours maybe he’s not getting traded

    Reply
  28. OKBaseballFan

    8 months ago

    I know lots of people think the Cubs got fleeced, but I don’t think so. Ben Brown is actually doing very good in High-A. 3.08 ERA in 73 innings with a 3-5 record. Seems fair for both teams.

    Reply
    • DonnyElementary

      8 months ago

      I think it’s a fair trade, too.

      Reply
  29. shanefalco50

    8 months ago

    I guess the Phils just want to understand what it feels like to get F’d twice……….

    Reply
  30. dmanvilela

    8 months ago

    Bloom should’ve got him for Boston. They needed RP since last year.

    Reply
  31. Bryzzo2016

    8 months ago

    Nice get for a rental reliever that the Cubs took a flier on. #7 rated prospect. His floor is a high leverage RP, ceiling is a legit SP if the Cubs can unlock his secondary pitches. Philly as recent as yesterday were claiming this guy was “untouchable” for a rental and that’s exactly what they traded him for.

    Reply
    • Philly 6

      8 months ago

      No one is untouchable. You do understand that teams put that out in the media on purpose, right? Who knows if a single A guy is going to work out

      Reply
    • MC Tim C

      8 months ago

      #7 rated prospect? You mean #26?

      Reply
      • Samuel

        8 months ago

        Those rankings are BS. They mean nothing.

        Did you – or others quoting the ranking # of a minor league prospect on his team – ever do a study to find how how they actually played out over the ensuing 2-4 years? I’ll tell you this – the result has far more to do with how those players are worked with by the coaching staffs of the teams the play for.

        Reply
  32. NickGarren

    8 months ago

    Brown just got moved to AA..

    Reply
    • DonnyElementary

      8 months ago

      He deserves the promotion.

      Reply
  33. capone14

    8 months ago

    Wtf Hopefully the cubs got more then just this guy

    Reply
  34. NickGarren

    8 months ago

    Brown is ranked higher now. Seen he is their #7 guy.

    Reply
  35. Hayden chelius

    8 months ago

    So the angels can get the Phillies 3rd ranked prospect for a struggling Brandon marsh but the cubs get their 26th ranked prospect for one of the best bullpen arms on the market? I see Ben brown has pitched decent in high A posting a 3.08 with a good K/9 but I don’t understand the trade to be honest. He was a 30 something round pick and is doing alright in high A. Nothing to really be excited about at all. The trades the cubs have made so far have just been pitcher heavy and seems they are looking at k/9 the most and hoping these pitchers can develop into something. All have been rolling the dice moves so far.

    Reply
    • justme

      8 months ago

      Cubs were not keeping robertson he is 29 years old no future with the cubs and cost them nothing off season flyer who panned out they still couple years away get a young sp with upside is a nice get

      Reply
      • justme

        8 months ago

        Sorry 37 year old commenting on to many post at the same time lol

        Reply
    • DonnyElementary

      8 months ago

      The answer to your question is yes.

      Reply
  36. cardsfanboy

    8 months ago

    Good add

    Reply
  37. Philly 6

    8 months ago

    Hope he can get to Atlanta tonight for the bullpen game… but if not, should be there for tomorrow. With Segura and Harper working their way back, playoffs are real possibility this year. It’s what we all want and expect…

    Reply
  38. Rsox

    8 months ago

    Dombrowski is determined to get something out of Robertson

    Reply
  39. Ƭ̵̬̊ Player Formly Known As MousecopƬ̵̬̊

    8 months ago

    Great return for the cubs. Especially for a rental

    Reply
  40. JoeBrady

    8 months ago

    I like this for the Phillies. Brown has some upside, but you have to give up something.

    Reply
  41. MichaelSallaFan

    8 months ago

    First McKinstry, now Brown. Why do the cubs go after 33rd round picks?
    Is Hoyer a freemason?

    Reply
  42. GyatDamn

    8 months ago

    Well at least we still have Effross..

    Wait, what?

    Reply
  43. MarkieFresh

    8 months ago

    Cubs have 11 games left vs the Cards
    Cubs have 6 games left vs the Brewers
    Weaker Cubs get, easier in theory to take the NL Central.

    Reply
  44. cubby99

    8 months ago

    I’m fine with this trade. Love the armchair GMs who think they know anything about this.

    Reply
  45. Humm bumms

    8 months ago

    Who closes for the Cubs?

    Reply
    • DonnyElementary

      8 months ago

      Rowan Wick

      Reply

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