The Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement to sign veteran reliever David Robertson, according to multiple reports. The contract is valued at over $5 million for the remainder of the season and is reportedly a prorated deal worth $16 million, pending a physical examination.
Robertson, who is 40 years old, has been a free agent since he declined a $7 million mutual option with the Texas Rangers last November. Last season, he recorded a 3.00 ERA with a 3-4 record, racking up two saves over 72 innings and 68 appearances, where he struck out 99 batters while walking 27.
With 16 years of major league experience under his belt, Robertson posts a career record of 66-46 with a 2.91 ERA and a total of 177 saves earned throughout his time with several teams, including the New York Yankees and the Phillies.
This addition comes at a crucial time for the Phillies, as they are currently engaged in a competitive divisional race against the Mets in the NL East. Their bullpen has struggled, sitting in the bottom ten for ERA at 4.30, making Robertson’s experience and skill set a valuable asset as they aim for improvement in this area.
Robertson’s signing could provide the stability and veteran presence that the Phillies’ bullpen needs during this critical stretch of the season. Fans will be hopeful that his extensive experience will not only enhance the team’s performance but also bolster their chances in the race for postseason contention.