The Philadelphia Phillies were already seeking bullpen reinforcements before closer José Alvarado was hit with an 80-game suspension. Now facing an even greater need.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Phillies confirm a major a one-year contract worth $15 million. The veteran All-Star reliever reportedly has received a very compelling offer.
Top star was highly effective last season for the Texas Rangers, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 99 strikeouts to 27 walks, and holding opponents to a .202 batting average and a .571 OPS over 72 innings. Now 40 years old, he has remained productive well into his late 30s, with a 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 6.5 hits allowed per nine innings across 201 innings from 2022 to 2024.
The Phillies are well aware of his consistency, as evidenced by his career 3.30 ERA over 30 innings with the team. With the bullpen currently ranking 21st in MLB with a 4.54 ERA, Philadelphia is in clear need of reliable late-inning arms—making Robertson a tempting option, if the price is right.
José Alvarado’s suspension also rules him out for the postseason, further intensifying the Phillies’ need for reliable bullpen arms. David Robertson, a seasoned closer with 177 career saves, brings both experience and consistency and could potentially be a more dependable option than Jordan Romano, who currently holds an 8.05 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Still, with Robertson’s steep contract demands, a deal at this point seems improbable.