Free agent reliever David Robertson has been throwing for interested clubs recently, reports Will Sammon of The Athletic. Two of his former clubs, the Mets and Yankees, have at least looked into the possibility of signing Robertson, per the report. Several other clubs are expected to scout a throwing session for Robertson over the next week or so.
Robertson, who turned 40 in April, hasn’t signed with a team since the 2024 season concluded. The right-hander was one of several notable older veterans who didn’t find offers to his liking in free agency. Lance Lynn encountered a similar situation and opted to retire. J.D. Martinez is unsigned as well and recently received some interest from the Rangers. Robertson’s recent and upcoming showcases for interested teams serve as a notable update on his status, signaling both an intent to play and at least some level of readiness to take the mound.
The lack of a compelling offer for Robertson wasn’t due to any downturn in results. The former All-Star and 16-year MLB veteran was terrific for Texas in 2024, pitching 72 innings of 3.00 ERA ball. Robertson picked up 34 holds and two saves while fanning a huge 33.4% of opponents against a 9.1% walk rate. He averaged 93.3 mph on his go-to cutter, which tied his 2023 mark for the highest of any single season in his career. Robertson’s 11.7% swinging-strike rate was a dip from his 2022-23 levels (13.3%) but right in line with his career 11.8% mark.
Back in April, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Robertson had been seeking a $10MM annual salary in free agency over the winter. He earned $11.5MM with the Rangers last year ($5MM of it deferred). The Phillies also showed some interest in Robertson early in the season, even before Jose Alvarado was hit with an 80-game PED suspension, and they’re known to be on the lookout for bullpen help. It would stand to reason that they’re still interested in a reunion with Robertson themselves.
Presumably, Robertson will be prioritizing a deal with probable contenders. The Yankees, Mets and Phillies all fit that billing and are all among the top eight teams in terms of current playoff odds, per FanGraphs. The Tigers, Cubs, Astros, Blue Jays, Brewers and Mariners are all in extremely favorable postseason position as well, holding at least an 80% postseason chance per the odds at FanGraphs and/or Baseball Prospectus.
Oh yes, the 57 year old David Robertson
Agreed, I can’t imagine a human older than David Robertson right now. Disgusting to even consider him throwing a baseball.
They should have thrown dirt on Mariano in 2010. GET GRANDPA OUT OF THE DUGOUT
Appealing cuz he will only cost $
Sure, but other guys you know are in shape and ready, having face ML hitters recently in most cases. He’s also older, which typically takes one longer to get back into it, imho. There’s more risk here than most. Maybe the asking prices on RPs and familiarity of him with a former closer still make it worth it.
It’s just money.
Steve. Cohen
If he does sign, he’ll need to ramp up in the minors first. Probably sign him sooner rather than later if any team wants him to help for that playoff run.
Finally he’s ALIVE!!!! Haha. Let’s go Cashman
Mlbnyy’s David Robertson 2025 dream coming to life!
If another team signs him, take cover.
I can’t imagine why any pennant contender wouldn’t be interested
He wants too much money?
He would need to be in the team organization soon but if it the $$ doubt he get his asking price, considering sellers would trade bullpen pieces
Many would rather spend than give up prospects.
Prospect are dime a dozen as not all prospects make it to majors that just a fact. The odds of guys in the minors making it just slim and not every player has the tool to make it
This is true but they are assets that can be saved for another time. An FA at this time is gold…
Why would be want to play for a 2nd place team though?
To make them a first place team.
@bigdaddyt
Agreed. Seems odd that he’d want to play for a 2nd place team. Neither is a good team. Both should be in sell mode.
That definitely not happening.
Sarcasm
bigdaddyt: Because he’s a player and a professional, not a fan, and it’s what he does.
because they are closer to 1st than the yankees and 3rd place behind the mets is well under 500 and will probably be sellers at the deadline where boston is nipping at the yankees heels.
strange ephemeral comment, they are 1/2 game out and they just acquired two top line starters in a sense with Senga and Manea. They have been in 1st place 3 times this year already while riddled with injuries all over the team. They were 2 games away from a pennant last year
Seems like the Dodgers should be on the list of teams interested in Robertson, if not at the top of it, considering.
For that matter any contending team should be kicking the tires on Robertson, including my Cubbies.
Don’t forget the Angels!
No chance. He’s not going to sign with the Angels…
BlueSkies: Why would the Dodgers need another reliever when they already have about 27 of them?
Uh, what?
You read my question.
He doesn’t care about future – he cares about 2025 and another ring.
That’s why he will end up on the Dodgers…and promptly get hurt.
Saving this in the most-likely event that he does NOT sign with the Dodgers.
I’d imagine non-contending teams would not be interested in him. Super insightful.
my brain: “the Jays are sellers?!”
oh, right, he is not Hoffman. no idea why I can’t ever tell these guys apart.
4O, hasn’t played since October. Shoulder or lat strain is going to end his season by mid September.
Mets Should have signed Robertson in the off-season. Made No sense why they didnt
paying 20M+ for a 40 yr old non-closing reliever is a bit rough (10M was i heard minimum of what he wanted and the 110% tax).
Also what they dealt with the huge dropoff from Ottavino may have given them some pause. I like Robertson and would love him back but i understand the reasoning at the beginning of the season. Also shouldnt the question why all the other 29 teams didnt sign him either?
Stearns doesn’t want a proven asset like Robertson when he can cycle through triple A players with ERA’s north of 8 with no experience every day of the week.
Stearns would rather throw Reed Garrett literally in any inning besides the 9th in every single game
Guys with options are more valuable they can be sent down. This is how every team operates because every team only lets their SP go 5 innings so they burn out the bullpen.
Can the Nats sign him?
Man, I forgot he’s still available.
Isn’t he self represented? saving 5% to lose half a season of earnings checks out.
Probably got to do some fishing this spring though. No reason not to pitch half a season at around 5 mil… The folks suggesting he will need to ramp up at AAA may be right, but he has been at this for a while and may not take nearly as long as a new recruit if his stuff looks sharp in the showcase chances are he is ready to ball.
So weird that this is happening now instead of a month or more ago.
In any event, it would be good for the Mets to sign him and get him ready ASAP.
$4 million for the rest of the season is about what a prorated $10 million for the whole season would come down to.
Older pitcher with a ton of mileage probably nursing some aches and pains who doesn’t want to pitch an entire season.
I vaguely remember that there was some bad blood with the Yankees at the end of his second run there. Didn’t he initiate some move to exclude some team employees when playoff shares were doled out? Please correct me if I am wrong.
They stiffed a bunch of coaches, trainers and support staff
A brighter future? If he’s already 40 and he cares about this season only.
They’re both winning teams, but the Yankees path back to the World Series is easier.
Getting rolled in Boston in the Wild card round isn’t easier.
He’s 40. He’s not interested in which teams have the brighter future, it’s who is in the best spot right now that matters for him
He will sign with Detroit. He was seen in Detroit earlier today .
David Stearn’s favorite words: Cheap Cheap Cheap Cheap
Age checks out for the Yankees.
Very surprised he wasn’t signed in the off-season. The Red Sox should take a long look.
I see the Yankees will be bargain hunting again at the deadline. Can’t wait for Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino part 2 just so Cashman can say he did something and avoid actually trading something valuable that another team wants. His incessant need and desire to never ‘lose’ a trade and be risk averse is ruining this club. Ffs I wish him and boone would get the Nationals treatment and package them both together and send em to Cancun. “You know what will really help the Yankees win a WS this year? A 40 year old reliever.” Insanity
his recent trade history seems to be better than most in the last 7 trades got chisholm, williams, bellinger, and cruz which all seem to be doing pretty good.
If you go back a little further he also got soto and grisham for basically michael king and potential upside of thorpe which was up and down so far before getting hurt.
so recently he has done better in the trade department than most.
Tigers make most sense…