It comes as no surprise, to many, that as Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline approaches, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski would be searching for help in the team’s bullpen. What may surprise is that his first move is for a 40-year-old, inactive reliever.
Dombrowski and company went with a familiar face in signing right-hander David Robertson, who will be making his third stint with the team after playing for them in 2019 and again in 2022. The team optioned him to Lehigh Valley on Monday where he will look to build up his arm strength in what he and the team hopes is a healthy and helpful arm out of the pen for the remaining playoff push.
“So we actually saw him two (times),” said Dombrowski. “So, we saw the first one, (scout) Todd Donovan went over and saw him, which was nice. We had all of the trackman data from that all the way through. We knew that his stuff had come through the same, so it all measured out the same as in the past – his spin rates and everything. Then we saw him again on Saturday, Charlie Kerfeld went over there. Charlie saw him throw 88-90 with that same trackman information that he had. We called him right away and he said he was ready. I would say that he’s a March 10 (equivalent) in Spring Training. He needs another 15 days in the minors to build his arm strength up. That’s fine because we have to option him out anyway. So that works out. He was in great shape, arm was loose so we thought it was well worth it. We know he can handle a pennant race. We know he can handle post season play.”
Following last season when he pitched for the Texas Rangers, where he compiled 99 strikeouts and 27 walks in 72 innings and a 3.00 ERA, Robertson and his family decided that the time was right to take a long look at what would be next.
“This fall I negotiated with a couple of teams, just didn’t happen,” he said before the Phillies took on the Boston Red Sox. “My wife and I thought that at this point in my life, head on home and if I still got the itch to play, train and get back in the league and that’s why I’m here now. This place feels like home. It’s a good bullpen to mix into. It’s a great starting staff. I’m hoping that I can bridge the gap late in the games and win some ballgames and get to the post season.”
This may not be the big splash, nor the last one, the Phillies make before the deadline. It just seemed to make too much sense to the front office to pass up the opportunity.
“We’re never looking to move prospects, per say, pending on who it is,” Dombrowski said. “We will be open-minded to do other things, but I think the reality is, and talking this over with (owner) John Middleton, is it’s cash. Let’s go ahead and spend the cash and get that done rather than moving some of our prospects. Not that we won’t do that somewhere down the road, but it’s a situation that we get somebody that we like and we think it’s a great deal.”
According to reports, the deal is going to cost the Phillies about $12 million. Matt Gelb of The Athletic was first to report the signing.
As for the timing in which Robertson envisions being able to be a viable part of the bullpen, some factors come into play, especially when you’re 40.
“Hoping to get at least three or four outings,” he said of his buildup. “A back-to-back would be nice so that when I get up here I don’t have to be a guy that they have to stay away from to throw one inning. Hoping for a live batting practice and then three or four games in. I don’t want to come back if I’m not ready to step in the lines. I’ve kept myself in shape. It’s a great clubhouse and I want to be a part of it and get over the hump. Third time’s the charm.”
Dombrowski honestly addressed the question of what else might he and the club be looking to do as the month comes to an end and how this season may compare to other deadlines he’s dealt with.
“It’s different than some others because we are in a position where a lot of clubs are still in it,” he said. “A lot of things can change daily. Some clubs when I, or we, talked to them last week they have one mindset and then after a weekend of good or bad they have another mindset. That may change a couple more times between now and the 31st. You’re talking about 10 days. In the trading deadline, that’s a long time.”
A long time is not what Dombrowski sees as far as third baseman Alec Bohm being sidelined with a fractured rib. Therefore, making a deal due to that does not seem to be on the blueprint. One thing Dombrowski expects is for the offense to become more efficient from the players who are currently here.
“That’s the way to describe it, they’re hot and cold,” he said. “Some of that fix has to be internal. We hope that will be better. I do think having Bryce (Harper) back in the middle of the lineup is (going to help). It’s been inconsistent and we need to be more consistent.”
Other tidbits
1. Dombrowski downplayed prospect Andrew Painter coming up to the big club and maybe helping out the bullpen at some point, saying the club has always held the same stance. “We’ve always said July-ish he’d be ready to join the staff. We didn’t say he was going to join the staff in July. We’ll just play it by ear. He’s pitched every five days. He’s really made a lot of progress.”
2. When he is ready to come back from his own rib injury, Dombrowski said that pitcher Aaron Nola will be a starter.
3. Speaking of outfield prospect Just Crawford and possibility of bringing him up to the big club, Dombrowski said: “There’s consideration, just haven’t had the right time to do it. He needs to play. He is a player that is very good, very talented. Not only offensively, but defensively.” He spoke of Crawford’s need to gain experience by playing every day, something that wouldn’t be guaranteed in Philadelphia.
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