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David Robertson’s bet on himself has paid off.
After Tommy John surgery cost him two seasons, the 37-year-old Robertson regained his form this year. He appeared in 12 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 for his first big-league action since April 2019. Robertson, who represented himself during contract talks, wanted to find the right fit. It led to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, including up to $1.5 million in incentives, with the Chicago Cubs in March.
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And now he’s on the move to a playoff contender.
The Cubs on Tuesday traded Robertson to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitching prospect Ben Brown, according to multiple reports.
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Robertson reestablished his status as one of the league’s best late-inning relievers. He posted a 2.23 ERA, 1.041 WHIP, 189 ERA+ and 14 saves over 40⅓ innings in 36 appearances.
Before last week’s series opener in San Francisco, Robertson reflected on how he will look back on his four months with the Cubs if, as expected, he would be traded.
“I got another opportunity and got a deal that I thought was favorable to me and I thought it was a pretty fair shake at it to rebound back into my career,” Robertson said. “I can’t thank the Cubs enough, and I’ll continue to play hard as long as I’m a Cub. … I’ve had a great time. Wrigley’s an unbelievable place to play baseball. It’s nice to be on the home side and not on the road side.”
He fulfilled his dream of hitting in a major-league game when manager David Ross let him pinch hit in a game against the Pirates on June 22 in Pittsburgh. Robertson struck out swinging on a full-count pitch from Pirates infielder Diego Castillo.
Ross avoided publicly naming a closer entering the season, but it quickly became clear that Robertson was the veteran the manager wanted in the role. Robertson converted 14 of 19 save opportunities, his most since 2017. His 33 postseason relief appearances made him a valuable commodity leading to the trade deadline. Robertson owns a career 3.11 ERA and 1.062 WHIP in 37⅔ postseason innings, which includes a World Series title in 2009 with the New York Yankees.
Robertson’s departure potentially creates more high-leverage and save situations for Rowan Wick.
