The Phillies announced today that they have recalled right-handed reliever David Robertson for his 2025 debut. In a corresponding move, fellow righty Alan Rangel was optioned to Triple-A. If Robertson appears in today’s game, he’ll be facing his team from last season, the Rangers.
Robertson, who turned 40 in April, is gearing up for his 17th MLB season (and his third with the Phillies). Aside from an injury-plagued rough patch from 2019-21, he has been one of the best relievers in the league since his breakout season with the Yankees in 2009. In 876 2/3 career innings, he owns a 66-46 record, 177 saves, and a sub-3.00 ERA. Just over 200 of those frames came in the past three years (2022-24), when Robertson pitched to a 2.82 ERA with a strikeout rate over 30%. He ranked among the top 10 relievers in innings pitched and Win Probability Added (WPA).
So, it was more than a little surprising that Robertson, no. 47 on MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents list, failed to secure a contract this past offseason. It wasn’t until mid-July that he signed with the Phillies on a prorated one-year, $16MM deal that will ultimately pay him about $6MM in 2025. While $6MM is well below the $11MM salary MLBTR predicted for Robertson on a one-year deal and the $10MM salary Robertson was reportedly seeking in the offseason, the $16MM value of his contract technically makes him one of the highest-paid relievers in the game this year.
There is little question that Robertson’s advanced age is what gave potential suitors pause during the offseason. The question now is if their resistance to sign him becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The veteran showed last season that he was still one of the game’s elite relievers at 39 years old. However, he’s now trying to get back to that level after missing spring training and the first four-plus months of the year. If his shaky performance during his handful of Triple-A outings is any indication, he could be in for a rough adjustment period in the majors. With only seven weeks left to play before October, that adjustment period could end up being most of his season.
The Phillies will hope Robertson can pick up right where he left off last year. Their bullpen has done well as of late, but on the year, it hasn’t been the strength it was in 2023 or ’24. Offseason signing Jordan Romano has not been able to rediscover his All-Star form from 2020-23, while long-tenured fireballer José Alvarado has missed much of the season on a PED suspension. He’ll be back soon but won’t be eligible to pitch in the playoffs. The addition of Jhoan Duran is already helping – he has three saves in three perfect appearances – but the Phillies could certainly use another high-leverage arm to join Duran, Orion Kerkering, and Matt Strahm as the club looks to go on a deep postseason run.
Just gave up 3 runs each in consecutive one inning outings at AAA Lehigh Valley with a 10.13 ERA!
Yeah hopefully low leverage!
10.13 era in aaa
He hasnt kicked the rust off yet
Might need a few wks to settle in
There is no might about it.
These guys who miss most of the season usually do not turn out well.
This may very well be $6M down the drain in one of Dombrowski’s worst signings.
0 risk to the signing, they still went out and got Duran. It’s a good gamble who cares about the 6 mil?
@Mendoza Line 215,
This is an unmitigated disaster, the likes of which no one had ever seen before. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Still a smart move for a team going for it. Results in the minors for players don’t bother me because we have no idea what his game plan was. All they wasted will be money.
Most likely correct – but remember he signed Robertson before he knew for certain that he would bolster the bullpen at the deadline.
It would have been an even bigger disaster to have struck out on Duran, Helsley, Bednar, Doval, Mason Miller etc and not had Robertson.
Robertson at his age may be better off with a fresh/rusty arm than a tired arm.
Carl Crawford’s Son should be close to being promoted IMO
I agree 100%. He should have been called up since May/June
I’m sure that people who know much more than you have made these decisions for a reason lol.
I recall him blowing up in the playoffs a few years back. Hopefully he is more rested this time.
This is a bold move, DD. 40 year old making his debut in the middle of An August pennant race.