Phillies Show Interest in Veteran Reliever David Robertson
The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly reached out to veteran reliever David Robertson, one of the few remaining free agent pitchers on the market. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, this contact occurred before José Alvarado received his 80-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. However, discussions between the Phillies and Robertson did not progress beyond initial contact.
Robertson, now 40, pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024, where he recorded a 3.00 ERA over 72 innings. A consistent presence throughout his 16-year MLB career, he has posted 11 seasons with at least 60 appearances and an ERA under 4. From 2022 to 2024, he maintained a 2.82 ERA over 201 innings.
Robertson has prior experience with the Phillies. He initially signed with the team in 2019 but was limited to just seven games due to elbow issues that led to Tommy John surgery. He returned to the team in 2022 after being traded from the Cubs, posting a 2.70 ERA in 22 appearances.
While Robertson missed part of the 2022 postseason with a calf injury, he played a key role in several high-stakes moments, including a save in Game 1 of the World Series.
An anonymous American League executive noted that top-tier relievers like Ryan Helsley and Mason Miller are unlikely to be traded until the deadline approaches. However, the Phillies could act sooner, particularly if they find a trade partner looking to cut payroll. One such possibility is Pirates closer David Bednar, who has a 3.65 ERA in 13 appearances since returning from a brief demotion to Triple-A. With a $5.9 million salary, he could be a realistic trade option if the Pirates want to shed costs early.
Thanks to Alvarado’s suspension, half of his $9 million salary is now off the Phillies’ books, potentially giving them added flexibility to pursue bullpen help.
