On Thursday, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand announced that David Robertson and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a 2-year deal said to be worth $23M.
On Thursday, the player/agent David Robertson (aka “D-Rob”) made it official. After Robertson passed his physical, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that D-Rob would be taking his talents to Philadelphia on a 2-year, $23M deal.
#Phillies and RHP David Robertson have agreed to terms on a two-year contract. The deal includes a third-year club option for the 2021 season.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) January 3, 2019
Welcome to Philadelphia, @DRob30! pic.twitter.com/bt5iLHsbN2
David Robertson, who represented himself in free agency told mlb.com that “Philly really checked off all the boxes… 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.”
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The Phillies entered the offseason ready to spend “stupid” money, and have been one of the most active organizations in free agency and in the trade market. To this point they have traded away Carlos Santana for Jean Segura, signed Andrew McCutchen, and have been rumored to be in on Craig Kimbrel, Manny Machado, and Bryce Harper.
According to Mark Feinsand, the deal is said to be for 2-years. He will earn $10M and $11M in 2019 and 2020 respectively, and includes an option for a third year, worth $12M. In all, David Robertson could walk away with 3-years, $33M.
Fear not Phillie fanatics, adding D-Rob does not take the Phillies out of the running for Craig Kimbrel. Despite the fact that David Robertson has been a closer before, at this point in their careers Robertson and Kimbrel play different very roles out of the bullpen.
With the Yankees, D-Rob was a jack of all trades, coming out in relief whenever he was needed, and more often than not putting out fires. Craig Kimbrel, on the other hand, remains, despite late struggles in 2018, the games premier closer.
The addition of David Robertson means that the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen just got way better, and stands a chance to compete with some of the best bullpens in baseball.
The NL East keeps getting better and better this offseason. Now, we wait and see what the “Big Three” – Harper, Machado, and Kimbrel – decide to do.