David Robertson, New York Mets
For David Robertson, the Phillies may have been already regretting their decision the moment they did not resign him at the end of their successful 2022 season. After being acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the 2022 trade deadline, Robertson played a key role in helping the Phillies reach the postseason for the first time since 2011, along with making it all the way to the World Series championship for the first time since 2009. He may have been with the Phillies for only three months, but his impact was felt by everyone around him.
Perhaps his age may have been the reason that scared the Phillies off a bit, as he turned 38 in 2023, but he certainly has shown that he has still got plenty in the tank left in him. With the rapidly fading New York Mets this season, Robertson has performed way beyond expectations, accumulating a 3-2 record with 12 saves, a 2.06 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, giving up only nine earned runs all season, with 11 walks and 46 strikeouts over 39.1 innings pitched. He is definitely one of the lone bright spots in the Mets’ pitching staff (aside from perhaps Brooks Raley and Kodai Senga) and hence, will no doubt be heavily coveted at the trade deadline.
With Gregory Soto struggling a bit with inconsistency this year, along with José Alvarado hitting the IL with elbow inflammation for the second time this year, Robertson could be the perfect addition to the Phillies’ bullpen in terms of giving it that extra boost, as well as being the ideal insurance plan in event any of their key bullpen arms miss any extended period of time as a result of injuries.