The signing of reliever David Robertson has been a blessing for the Philadelphia Phillies. Robertson, who didn't have a job coming into the 2025 season, has fit right into the bullpen since getting picked up in late July. Phillies managing partner John Middleton had a lot to do with bringing the veteran back on board for the latter part of the season and their postseason push.
Robertson wasn't an obvious choice after the suspension of José Alvarado and the struggles of Jordan Romano and Joe Ross. But something had to be done, and Middleton saw it as an opportunity rather than desperation to sign a proven free agent with a track record of winning baseball.
John Middleton, Phillies made right call by signing David Robertson to shore up bullpen
Signing a 40-year-old reliever in general has its reservations, given Robertson's free agency up until that point. That didn't deter Middleton from expressing to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski that it was worth a shot for the club's sake (subscription required), as he told The Athletic's Matt Gelb after the Phillies clinched the NL East earlier this week.
“Of course,” Middleton said of his response to Dombrowski, per Gelb. “Dave, there’s no prospects we’re giving up. There’s no draft picks we’re giving up. Of course, we’re going to do it. Money’s easy. That’s the easy part.”
Robertson was signed to a prorated one-year, $16 million deal, which pays out Robertson roughly $6 million for the remainder of the 2025 season. The luxury tax implications will cost the Phillies roughly $12 million when all is said and done. Robertson was initially assigned to Triple-A before making his 2025 debut on Aug. 11. Given the prospects that the Phillies had to give up in trades for Jhoan Duran and Harrison Bader at the deadline, the money is certainly the easier challenge to overcome for a championship-hungry team.
Robertson has taken his third stint with the Phillies in stride and has refused to let his age define his production in a vital year for the club. Through 17 games, Robertson has a 2-0 record, 4.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 15 innings.
His career 2.93 ERA proves to the Phillies that there may be just enough left in the tank to get the job done in 2025. He's had a recent stroke of bad luck, allowing four runs over his last four appearances, but the Phillies believe that they have the right guy in place to secure the back end of the bullpen. He also has previously closed out some big games for the Phillies, like in Game 1 of the 2022 World Series and even Monday for the NL East clincher in Los Angeles.
THE BEASTS OF THE EAST!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/M9uALrUtq4
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 16, 2025
Middleton has been a beloved owner in Philadelphia sports, which is a lot easier said than done. The Phillies have come up short the last few postseasons, but they're not slowing down just yet. Phillies fans are enjoying the product on the field, but can also be grateful to have an owner that pushes all the right buttons en route to a potential World Series title.