David Robertson is a veteran relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who has had a successful career spanning over a decade. He has played for several teams, including the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and most recently, the Chicago Cubs.
However, on August 2, 2022, Robertson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Ben Brown. This trade has sparked conversation among baseball fans and experts, as Robertson brings a wealth of experience and success to the Phillies’ bullpen.
In this blog post, we will explore Robertson’s career before the trade, his time with the Cubs, and what the trade means for his future with the Phillies. We will also analyze how the trade benefits both teams and what Robertson’s role might be with the Phillies going forward.
Robertson’s Career Before the Trade
David Robertson began his professional baseball career as a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees in 2008. He quickly became a valuable member of the team’s bullpen, serving as a setup man and later as the team’s closer.
In his first five seasons with the Yankees, Robertson posted a 2.81 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while striking out over 12 batters per nine innings.
In 2014, Robertson signed a four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, where he continued to pitch at a high level. In his first season with the team, he recorded 39 saves with a 3.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
The following year, Robertson was selected to his first All-Star Game as a member of the White Sox. He finished the season with 34 saves and a 3.41 ERA.
After three seasons with the White Sox, Robertson returned to the Yankees in 2017. He once again became a key member of their bullpen, recording a 1.03 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 30 appearances that season.
Over his career with the Yankees, Robertson recorded 91 saves with a 2.81 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 431 appearances.
Robertson’s Second Stint With the Cubs
David Robertson signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs in January 2022, marking his return to the team for his second stint.
The Cubs were hoping that Robertson’s experience and success as a relief pitcher would help bolster their bullpen, which had struggled in recent years.
In the first half of the 2022 season, Robertson performed well for the Cubs. He made 31 appearances and posted a 3.55 ERA and 1.19 WHIP while striking out 33 batters in 33.0 innings pitched. He also recorded three saves for the Cubs during that time.
Despite Robertson’s solid performance, the Cubs decided to trade him to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 2, 2022. The trade was likely motivated by the Cubs’ desire to acquire more young talent and build for the future.
In exchange for Robertson, the Cubs received pitcher Ben Brown from the Phillies. While the trade was unexpected, it gave Robertson the opportunity to join a playoff-contending team in the Phillies, while the Cubs added a promising young arm to their organization.
The Trade to the Phillies
On August 2, 2022, the Chicago Cubs traded relief pitcher David Robertson to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Ben Brown.
The trade sent shockwaves through the baseball world, as Robertson was a key member of the Cubs’ bullpen and had performed well in the first half of the 2022 season.
The Phillies’ motivation for making the trade was clear: they wanted to improve their bullpen and add depth for a potential playoff run. Robertson’s experience as a reliable reliever with postseason experience made him an attractive addition to the Phillies’ roster.
The Phillies were also dealing with some injuries to their bullpen, making the addition of Robertson even more crucial.
For the Cubs, the trade was likely motivated by their desire to acquire young talent and build for the future. While Robertson had performed well for the team, the Cubs were unlikely to make the playoffs in 2022 and wanted to acquire promising prospects that could help them in the future.
Ben Brown, the pitcher they received in return, was considered a promising young arm and a valuable addition to the Cubs’ farm system.
Overall, the trade appears to benefit both teams. The Phillies acquired a reliable relief pitcher with postseason experience, which could prove valuable as they make a push for the playoffs.
The Cubs acquired a promising young pitcher that could help them build for the future, while also freeing up payroll and roster space. While the trade may have been unexpected, it appears to be a win-win situation for both the Phillies and Cubs.
Robertson’s Future With the Phillies
David Robertson’s addition to the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen brought an experienced and reliable reliever to the team. Robertson has been a consistent performer throughout his career, and the Phillies can expect him to provide stability in high-leverage situations.
In addition to his regular-season success, Robertson’s playoff and World Series experience could prove to be valuable for the Phillies. Robertson has pitched in 30 postseason games, recording a 3.17 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 28.1 innings.
He was a key member of the New York Yankees’ 2009 championship team, and his postseason experience could help the Phillies in their playoff push.
Robertson’s role with the Phillies is likely to be as a setup man or possibly as a closer, depending on the situation.
The Phillies already have a reliable closer in Ranger Suárez, but Robertson’s experience could allow him to close out games in high-pressure situations. His ability to pitch in different situations makes him a valuable asset to the Phillies’ bullpen.
Overall, Robertson’s addition to the Phillies’ bullpen brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. While his role may be fluid depending on the situation, the Phillies can expect Robertson to provide stability and reliability in their push for the postseason.
David Robertson’s Career Statistics With the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies
| Team | Years | Record | ERA | Saves | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 2008-2014 | 29-23 | 2.81 | 47 | 524 | 1.17 |
| Chicago White Sox | 2015-2016 | 13-15 | 3.27 | 71 | 234 | 1.09 |
| New York Yankees | 2017-2018 | 8-6 | 2.70 | 14 | 146 | 0.96 |
| Chicago Cubs | 2022 | 3-3 | 3.55 | 1 | 34 | 1.19 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 2022 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: The table includes Robertson’s statistics as a relief pitcher only. The strikeouts and saves are recorded for each team’s season that he pitched in, rather than his total statistics with each team.
FAQs
What is David Robertson’s contract status with the Phillies?
David Robertson signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Phillies in January 2019. His contract runs through the 2020 season, and he will become a free agent at the end of the year.
What is Ben Brown’s potential with the Cubs?
Ben Brown is considered a promising young arm with a strong fastball and good control. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft and has shown potential in his time in the minors. The Cubs are likely hoping that he can develop into a reliable starter or bullpen arm in the future.
How has Robertson performed since joining the Phillies?
David Robertson has yet to pitch for the Phillies, as he was placed on the injured list shortly after the trade. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2022 and is expected to miss the entire 2023 season.
Did the trade make the Phillies favorites to win the NL East?
The addition of David Robertson certainly improved the Phillies’ chances of making the playoffs, but it did not make them favorites to win the NL East. The division was highly competitive in 2022, with several teams in contention until the end of the season.
Did the trade have any long-term implications for the Cubs or Phillies?
The trade allowed the Cubs to acquire a promising young arm for the future, while the Phillies added an experienced reliever for their playoff push. Both teams will likely continue to evaluate their rosters and make moves as needed in the future, but the trade did not have any significant long-term implications for either team.
Conclusion
David Robertson’s trade from the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 2, 2022, was unexpected but ultimately beneficial for both teams. The Phillies added a reliable reliever with postseason experience, while the Cubs acquired a promising young arm for the future.
Robertson’s performance in the first half of the 2022 season with the Cubs was solid, but the trade provided him with the opportunity to join a playoff-contending team in the Phillies.
His experience and success in postseason situations could prove valuable for the Phillies as they make their push for the playoffs.
Overall, the trade highlighted the importance of bullpen depth and how teams are willing to make moves to improve their chances of success. It also showcased the value of experienced players in high-pressure situations.
Robertson’s addition to the Phillies’ bullpen brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, making him a valuable asset to the team going forward.
