Phillies Have Nothing to Lose by Signing Veteran Reliever David Robertson
The Philadelphia Phillies are facing major issues in their bullpen and need to act quickly before the season slips away. As of Monday, they had already blown six saves—more than any other team in Major League Baseball—and their bullpen held the league’s worst ERA at 5.81.
Manager Rob Thompson acknowledged the team’s struggles but said he’s not overly worried yet, citing the early point in the season. Still, changes are likely needed soon, and one potential solution could be signing free agent David Robertson.
Robertson, 40, demonstrated last season that he can still pitch effectively, posting a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances with a strong strikeout rate of 12.4 K/9—consistent with his career averages. Having already spent parts of two seasons with the Phillies, he’s familiar with Citizens Bank Park and the team environment.
Given the bullpen’s current struggles, Robertson could be a valuable addition. According to Spotrac, he might command a salary around $7 million, although that number could drop since the season is already underway. For a team in need of reliable relief pitching, signing Robertson carries minimal risk. If he underperforms, he’d simply blend in with the current bullpen issues. But if he matches last season’s performance, he could quickly become a key late-inning option.
