The Boston Red Sox were looking to bolster their bullpen at the trade deadline, but there was an impromptu tryout in downtown Providence, RI. A Rhode Island resident and former veteran journeyman pitcher, David Robertson, had a throwing session with the Red Sox on Saturday last week. Despite Craig Breslow's interest, however, Robertson is reportedly signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, per Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo.
This is at least the 14th installment of the Red Sox being interested in Robertson and him going elsewhere. https://t.co/x1dp5QgYhp
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 20, 2025
David Robertson Signs With the Phillies Despite Red Sox Interest
David Robertson was drafted way back in 2006 by the New York Yankees in the 17th round out of Alabama. Since then, he's had a storied career, so bear with me.
From his major league debut in 2008 to 2014 (the last year of his first stint with the Yankees), he maintained a 2.81 ERA with 47 saves, a K/9 of 12, and 524 strikeouts in 393.1 total innings, and made his first (and only) All-Star Game in 2011. He also served as the closer for a year after Mariano Rivera retired in 2013. That 2014 season raised his stock, with him recording 39 saves and striking out 96 batters.
He signed a four-year, $86 million contract with the Chicago White Sox after the 2014 season, during which he only pitched two full seasons with the team, both as their closer. He posted a 3.44 ERA, striking out 161 and recording 71 total saves with Chicago. Then, in his first half of 2017 with them, he recorded a 2.70 ERA with 13 saves on the season.
That was enough for the White Sox to deal him back to the Bronx at the trade deadline, where he maintained a 1.03 ERA with 6 games finished as one of the setup men to Aroldis Chapman.
He finished the rest of that four-year contract in 2018, recording 11 games finished with 91 strikeouts and having a 3.23 ERA in 69 appearances. He hit free agency again afterwards, and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for two years, worth $23 million (including a $12M option for a third season). However, his career took a sudden downturn in his first stint in Philly.
In just 7 games, he posted a 5.40 ERA with the highest walk rate of his career at 8.1 (the second lowest at that point was 4.8 in 2010). There was something wrong with him, and on April 14th, he was placed on the IL with a Grade 1 flexor strain to his throwing elbow. That spells disaster for pitchers, and those fears would prove to be true after he was put under the knife for Tommy John Surgery in August that same year.
He would never pitch a game for Philly in 2019 and 2020, as he suffered a setback in his recovery from the surgery and was shut down for the rest of the season. He would become a free agent again in that offseason and wouldn't sign with a team until August 2021, and made his major league return on September 1st. He didn't do too badly in his 12-game span for someone who had just returned to the majors after almost three full seasons. He recorded a 4.50 ERA, but still struck out 12 batters.
Then that offseason, he signed with the Chicago Cubs for a one-year deal. In his first full season back in three years, he had a 2.40 ERA, striking out 81 batters. But this was split between two teams, because at the trade deadline, he was sent back to Philadelphia after GM Dave Dombrowski saw major improvement and stability in him. He even appeared in the World Series for the first time since 2009, closing out Game 1 against the Houston Astros.
In 2023, he signed with the New York Mets, who were looking to rejuvenate their roster after a disappointing ending to their 2022 season. They didn't do so well, but Robertson did. He posted a 2.05 ERA in his 40 games, striking out 48 batters. But at the deadline, they sold him to the Miami Marlins, who were the ones who took over the Mets' ambitions for a playoff push.
He then signed with the Texas Rangers at 39 years old in 2024, with a mutual option for 2025. He posted an ERA of 3.00, walked only 27, and struck out 99 batters, which is an All-Star caliber season. The only time he ever broke 100 strikeouts was his only All-Star season back in 2011. But it seemed like age hadn't slowed him down.
That's what the Phillies saw, and they outbid all the other contenders (including the Red Sox) for David Robertson. He would've only been a drive away from work if he were to sign with Boston, but at that salary? $16 million? Sounds like Philly got a bit desperate.
But regardless of how much, Robertson is well-respected and deserves his flowers. His desire to keep playing the game of baseball is admirable, especially with how much he's given back to charities and foundations. Very honorable human being, and everyone wishes him the best.