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David Robertson Has Made 29 Teams Look Foolish Through Four Phillies Games
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
David Robertson had a 3.00 ERA in 72 innings for the Rangers in 2024 and was not signed to a new team this past offseason.
Yes, part of that is because Robertson was asking for a good chunk of money, and teams didn’t want to give that to a 40-year-old with 17 years of work on his arm.
But maybe they should’ve.
The Phillies agreed to terms with Robertson back on July 20th after he threw for scouts in a private BP. The Phillies settled on a 1-year, $16M deal that was prorated to the back half of the season. So far, he’s been everything the Phillies have needed:
Robertson has yet to allow a run in his first four appearances. He’s suffered just three hits, has walked one batter and struck out six. He was the first move for a Phillies bullpen that needed arms at the deadline. At the time, Robertson was the first move, and people were freaking out that Robertson would be Dombrowski’s only move.
But if you read Crossing Broad, because you should: I told you back on the day that Robertson signed that this was a great move, and it wouldn’t stop the Phillies from going in on an elite arm, like Jhoan Duran:
“Obviously, this can’t be the big bullpen move. But being able to scoop up a veteran reliever, who still has something left in the tank, and not have to give away and prospects is always a win.
The Phillies’ bullpen doesn’t just need one arm, they need multiple arms. Not having to trade for multiple relievers allows this team to still grab a big one at the deadline, like a Jhoan Duran or Emmanuel Clase.”
What’s fascinating about Robertson’s few starts is the fact that his stuff looks better than it ever did with the Phillies in 2019 and 2022. J.T. Realmuto caught him back in 2022, and is impressed with the veteran through his first few games
“He’s been really good. DRob, he’s come in pounding the strike zone, his stuff hasn’t aged at all…he’s throwing the ball great. The fastball is cutting, he’s got good ride to it, good late life. He’s mixing the breaking balls in for strikes, he just has such good feel of the baseball and command that he’s able to throw the ball in the zone early in the count and then for chase when he wants to. When he’s doing that, he’s really tough”
It wasn’t a good night for Orion Kerkering, who has been asked to throw a ton of innings in 2025, especially since Jose Alvarado went down. Now that Alvarado is back, and Robertson looking good, the next few weeks could be a time where Kerkering could get some extra time off before the postseason. Even through Tuesday night’s struggle, Kerkering still holds a 2.81 ERA in 48 innings with 50 strikeouts.
For a unit that was extremely questionable three months ago, a top four in the postseason of Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and David Robertson. Tanner Banks has been a bright spot as a left-handed option. Jose Alvarado, who won’t be here for the postseason, can still give the Phillies innings for the next six weeks.
Who knows what would’ve happened if David Robertson pitched a full season at age 40. But the Phillies jumped on an old friend in a spot they needed an arm, and he looks as fresh as possible on August 20th. Any team with World Series aspirations would kill to have Robertson in their bullpen right now.
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com