The Philadelphia Phillies are facing a major issue, and it’s no secret that their bullpen is the biggest area of concern as the trade deadline approaches—especially following the sudden suspension of José Alvarado. With his absence, Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering have been thrust into more high-pressure, late-inning roles, though each of them has already blown multiple save opportunities this season.
This has put the Phillies’ front office in a tight spot, actively scouring both the trade and free agent markets for dependable relief pitchers. There was recent buzz about the team reaching out to a familiar veteran—arguably the top remaining free agent reliever—but a return now appears unlikely.
After Alvarado’s suspension, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that the Phillies had considered re-signing David Robertson even before the bullpen setback. The idea initially seemed logical given Robertson’s track record and past ties to the team.
However, that possibility dimmed when USA Today’s Bob Nightengale revealed Robertson is asking for a one-year deal worth $15 million—a price tag the Phillies view as excessive for a 40-year-old with a significant injury history. Robertson’s first stint in Philadelphia was plagued by injuries, limiting him to just seven appearances over a two-year, $23 million contract signed ahead of the 2019 season, before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
His second go-around with the team came via a 2022 trade with the Cubs and was more productive. Still, it wasn’t without setbacks—most notably, a right calf strain suffered while celebrating a Bryce Harper home run that kept him out of the NLDS. He returned for the NLCS and made his biggest mark by closing out Game 1 of the World Series.
In that second stint, Robertson posted a 2.70 ERA over 23 1/3 innings and a 1.17 ERA in 7 2/3 postseason innings. His career numbers—2.91 ERA and 177 saves over 16 seasons—make it clear why the Phillies would consider him again.
Instead, the team has pivoted by signing reliever Lucas Sims to a minor-league contract, opting for a more affordable bullpen addition with recent big-league experience.