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Phillies steal perfect bullpen target from Yankees after neglect

ByEmma Lingan|
Aug 23, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson (37) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Aug 23, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson (37) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

A former New York Yankees reliever has found a new (old) home for the season, as free agent David Robertson has reportedly reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The deal, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, is pending a physical. Jeff Passan of ESPN further reported that Robertson will receive more than $5 million for the rest of the season on his deal, which is for a prorated $16 million.

Robertson, who turned 40 in April, last pitched in a Major League game for the Texas Rangers last September and declined his end of a mutual option with the club at the end of the season. He threw for teams Saturday in Providence, R.I. , and agreed to return for a third stint in Philadelphia, where he also pitched in 2019 and 2022.

Robertson, selected by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB Draft, is entering his 16th season in the Majors. He spent his first seven seasons with the Yankees, representing them at the All-Star Game in 2011, and rejoined them in a trade from the Chicago White Sox in July 2017.

Phillies steal perfect bullpen target Daavid Robertson from Yankees after neglect

The Yankees were reportedly among the teams interested in signing Robertson – as they should have been – before he landed with the Phillies. They desperately need bullpen help after losing four arms over the past six weeks, including Mark Leiter Jr. and Fernando Cruz.

The Yankees' pitching staff has allowed the sixth-most runs in all of MLB over the past 30 days. Aside from Devin Williams, their bullpen has struggled greatly to hold leads or limit runs. The longer Brian Cashman and the Yankees' front office allows this to continue without taking action to shore up the pitching staff, the farther down they will tumble in the American League East standings while the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays nip at their heels.

Meanwhile, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski put his money where his mouth is and inked Robertson – a fresh arm with ample postseason experience – to a hefty deal as the National League East-leading Phillies go all-in on their postseason push for 2025. The price may have been high, but at least Dombrowski is showing a sense of urgency to improve the areas of weakness on his team. Cashman should be taking notes.

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