So Far, So Good: David Robertson is looking like a steal in his first 4 appearances for the Phillies

David Robertson was basically left for dead by the rest of Major League Baseball.

The 40-year-old reliever tossed 72 innings for the Rangers last season with a solid 3.00 ERA, but nobody wanted to pay him heading into 2025.

It wasn’t a crazy assumption to think that David Robertson was too old, too expensive, and had too much wear and tear. Thankfully here in Philly, Dave Dombrowski didn’t care and on July 20th, he inked D-Rob to a one-year, $16 million deal prorated for the back half of the season after attending a private throwing session.

It was a gamble, but so far, it’s been a damn good one.

Through four appearances, Robertson has yet to allow a run. Opponents have just three hits against him. He’s walked one batter and struck out six. He looks better than he did in his first two stints with the Phillies back in 2019 and 2022.

JT Realmuto’s 8th inning blast leads Phillies past Mariners

David Robertson. Absolute Filth.

David Robertson, Nasty Cutters. ✂️ pic.twitter.com/uJQzFtJbQI

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 20, 2025

Phillies Bullpen. Red October.

The Phillies’ bullpen was shaky three months ago, but David Robertson’s return has completely changed the look of October baseball in South Philly. A playoff core of Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and David Robertson is as good as it gets.

Tanner Banks has been a pleasant surprise as a lefty option, and Jose Alvarado, while not postseason-eligible, can still eat innings down the stretch to keep these guys arms intact.

Sometimes the best deadline moves aren’t trades. Sometimes they’re just picking up the phone and bringing back an old friend. The rest of the league had their chance, and they passed. Now David Robertson is back in red pinstripes, making 29 teams look like idiots.

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