$23 million for 6⅔ innings. That’s what the Philadelphia Phillies got out of David Robertson. For 11 years, Robertson was a quality big league reliever for the Yankees and White Sox. When Robertson cashed in during the 2019 offseason, the Phillies were hoping they were getting a stable relief option. They got anything but.
David Robertson is recovery from Tommy John surgery and has been told to shut it down. Robertson’s time with the Phillies is over. $23 million for 6⅔ innings. A transaction Matt Klentak would like to have back. He’s had a lot of those as the Phillies have failed to turn the corner under his management.
Robertson, 36, is set to become a free agent after this season. He did pretty well for himself. Robertson negotiated his contract himself with the Phillies so he gets to pocket every penny of that deal. He couldn’t have been a bigger bust for Philadelphia and the Phillies could have used him in the worst way.
Even in the games Robertson pitched, he was awful. The right hander from Alabama posted an ERA of 5.40 and WHIP of 2.1000. It was bad all the way around even when Robertson was healthy.
The Phillies already made a move with the Red Sox to acquire Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree. Seranthony Dominguez was already lost to TJ surgery. It’s been a lot of hoping and praying out of that pen. One that Robertson could have saved.
I’m not sure if Robertson has anything left or if anybody is willing to take a chance on him. It would be hilarious to see Robertson bounced back on a minor league contract next year. The only thing that’s clear is David Robertson goes down in the book as a player forever hated by Philly fans for stealing money.
