Phils Sign David Robertson

[EastFallowfield]

Mark Feinsand (Feinsand)

[Patchmk88]

Not a bad signing. I’m not big on giving relievers a bunch of money but it’s only for two years and he’s a good one.

[EastFallowfield]

"Philly really checked off all the boxes for me," Robertson told MLB.com. "They are hungry to get back to the postseason and win. They have a great fan base, a beautiful ballpark and a special focus on charity. They've put together a great squad and I think I can bring a lot to the team in the back end of their bullpen."

After weeks of "Philly stinks" stories, this was nice to see.

Link

[phillychuck]

I'm in. A bit expensive, but he's been really good and shows no sign of decline. And his comments are, indeed, encouraging. Hope he continues his positive outlook through the year.

[bkox]

Todd Zolecki (ToddZolecki)

[bkeich]

I freely admit I had to look him up to find out if he was a LF or pitcher...

For those like me, he is a RH RP with a long successful run as a 7th inning/setup guy. with 3-5 years as a closer, but few saves the last couple years. Adding to the staple of relievers is always good, but I wonder at what point do we start pushing out younger relievers. We have a fairly large group of veteran relievers.

But that said, they break down easily and the younger guys can always be stashed in AAA.

[xogfog]

I'm not sure they are out on Britton, I still think they want a late inning lefty too.

[tom81]

Robinson has reverse career splits, .668 OPS vs RHB and .546 OPS vs LHB. There is no real need to add a back of the pen lefty now. Good signing for the Phillies and it sends a message to Mr Boras that we don’t have to go for his clients.

[andyb]

This definitely fits the design of having multiple guys that can go 2 innings at the back of the bullpen. That was probably a higher priority than getting someone strictly as a closer. Less expensive too as I was a little worried that Kimbrel might end up being an overpaid backup plan for not getting Machado or Harper.

[EDmuch]

Great move!!! I posted last week that they should get him. Now go get Britton too & have areal, versatile back end with Robertson, Nero’s, SD & Britton. Fill the middle innings with younger guys like Arano.

[bigegypt0417]

This definitely fits the design of having multiple guys that can go 2 innings at the back of the bullpen. That was probably a higher priority than getting someone strictly as a closer. Less expensive too as I was a little worried that Kimbrel might end up being an overpaid backup plan for not getting Machado or Harper.

Robertson very rarely pitched multiple innings last season...he made some 4 out appearances but that is the extent of it...although the Yankees had a very deep bullpen.

[julio]

Great move!!! I posted last week that they should get him. Now go get Britton too & have areal, versatile back end with Robertson, Nero’s, SD & Britton. Fill the middle innings with younger guys like Arano.

Ramos? Or did I miss something again?

[Squire]

I think he means Hector Neris.

In any event, I think (and kinda hope) we are done on bullpen acquisitions.

Right now we have RHP Dominguez, RHP Robertson, RHP Neris, RHP Ramos, RHP Nicasio, RHP Hunter, RHP Neshek, RHP Arano,and LHP Pazos, LHP Alvarez and LHP Morgan. Plus guys likely headed to AAA in LHP Davis, RHP Rios, RHP Garcia

[phillychuck]

Squire, could they be building surplus in order to trade? What I've always called a "compression" trade, that I've recently seen referred to as a consolidation trade? Maybe we can turn a couple of prospects and a couple of relievers into a #2 starter?

[julio]

I think he means Hector Neris.

Of course. Duh. I forgot all about Hector.

[Squire]

One of the beat writers did note that we have a ton of relievers and that a trade might be coming.

[andyb]

Robertson very rarely pitched multiple innings last season...he made some 4 out appearances but that is the extent of it...although the Yankees had a very deep bullpen

I count 9 outings last year where he got at least 4 outs and 11 in 2017. Now Seranthony did it 16 times last year but I think we all agree that was probably too much, especially when some of those outings were before or after a shorter outing.

Robertson is consistently in the 65-70 total innings range also which is pretty good these days. Hunter at 64 is the only reliever that cleared 60 last year though Dominguez (74.2) and Arano (61.1) did with their minor league innings. Robertson has cleared 60 for 9 consecutive years (as I knock on my wooden desk).

In general I like relievers that go 2 innings and think it is good for them health-wise. I would rather have a pitcher pitch 65 innings across 50 outings than 60 across 70 outings. Fewer times warming up. More rest. These are all good things assuming they do not regularly throw more than 30 pitches or so. The frequent switches for situational advantage have short term matchup advantages, but long term unhealthy consequences.

[EDmuch]

Neris

[bigegypt0417]

Agreed.

I really like the move and hopefully he is a good leader in that bullpen as well.

[andyb]

Definitely crowded.

RHP: Neris, Robertson, Dominguez, Hunter, Neshek (also Nicasio, Ramos, Rios, Arano)
LHP: Alvarez, Morgan (also Pazos, Davis)

Pitchers with a relatively low salary that are out of options are probably the most tradeable. Morgan fits that criteria.