Veteran free agent reliever David Robertson is reportedly throwing for interested clubs
MLB Rumors: Free agent reliever David Robertson is currently throwing for “interested clubs,” per Will Sammon with the Athletic.
Robertson, who turned 40 in April, spent last season with the Texas Rangers on a one year deal that, factoring in deferrals and his mutual option buyout, was worth about $11.5 million. Robertson was very solid for the Rangers in 2024, putting up a 3.00 ERA and 2.65 FIP in 72 innings over 68 appearances. Reports over the winter indicated that clubs were interested in signing him during the offseason, but he did not get an offer that he found acceptable.
My guess is that Robertson was looking in the offseason at something along the lines of what he made from the Rangers last year. If we assume he were to sign with a team for the final third of the season, that would equate to around $3-4 million for that stretch.
One would assume the Rangers would have some interest in Robertson, though how much is open to debate. The pen has, surprisingly, been a strength for the Rangers this year — the team is fourth in the majors in bullpen ERA and fifth in bullpen ERA=, per Fangraphs. Texas also has Josh Sborz due from the injured list, and only three optionable pitchers — Robert Garcia, Jacob Latz, and Caleb Boushley — on the active roster. Garcia has been one of the Rangers’ better relievers this year, and Latz and Boushley are the long men.
Robertson would likely help, and injuries to relievers would potentially alleviate a roster logjam, but Texas would have to determine whether it would be worth trading or cutting loose one of their less successful relievers to add Robertson, and whether the money they’d be spending on Robertson would be better allocated elsewhere.