Should Phillies exercise any of their 2021 team options?

David Robertson — $12 million

Right-handed reliever David Robertson was signed as part of the powerful 2018-19 offseason, which saw the Phillies also acquire Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Andrew McCutchen, among others.

Robertson was coming off of his second stint with the New York Yankees, where he posted a 5-0 record, 1.03 ERA, and 0.743 WHIP after being acquired in a trade to finish the 2017 season. His 2018 campaign was a bit worse, but still solid, with an 8-3 record, 3.23 ERA, and 1.033 WHIP.

Robertson was expected to be a needed addition to the Phillies bullpen. He made his team debut in the 2019 season opener against the Atlanta Braves, giving up one run off of two hits and a walk in the eighth inning.

The right-hander allowed more runs over his next two relief appearances, before cleaning things up in two outings against the Minnesota Twins, giving up two hits, while striking out two, in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Robertson gave up only one walk in his first multi-inning game, going two innings against the Miami Marlins.

The next day, Robertson was placed on the injured list with what ended up being a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right elbow.  He looked like he could return at some point later that season, before requiring Tommy John surgery. Robertson resumed throwing earlier this year, but was shut down again.

With only a few weeks of game action with the Phillies, and as an aging veteran coming back from a lengthy injury, he would be considered a “wild card” moving forward — in other words, no certainty as to what the Phillies  would get in 2021.

The Phillies’ 2021 team option on Robertson is $12 million, though they still owe him $2 million either way. They could gamble on Robertson, or take the $10 million difference to use elsewhere.