There has been interest in David Robertson since the end of the World Series. A lot of interest. Great reliever who can close or set up with the best of them. It was said early in the off-season from Robertson about two months ago, an article written by the website The Score, here’s the link–https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1655459– said that Robertson wanted to pitch close to where he resides in Rhode Island. Then George A. King III, can’t ignore that name, but works for the New York Post, came out with a report on December and that Robertson wanted a three year contract. So in an ideal world, Robertson wants to pitch in the North East for three years.

As of this morning, Robertson was rumored to have been drawing interest from the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels. Angels need a closer, bad. But, they are also on the opposite side of the goddamn country so I never saw that being a fit. Yankees, obviously there is history and they would pay up, but if he was truly interested in resigning with the Yankees, it would have already happened. And the Red Sox, that was just a decoy in this whole situation for the Yankees to pay a little bit more. They did need a closer however.

Fast forward to about 1:30 today and the fucking Philadelphia Phillies sweep in and snatch him right up from his nest in Rhode Island. Robertson almost was in his ideal world when the Phillies came in hot with a two year $23 million contract with a club option or two million buy out for 2021. Coming from a guy who held a 3.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 91/26 K/BB ratio over 69 2/3 innings in 2018, that’s not bad. He is presumably taking over the closing duties from Seranthony Dominguez, the Phillies did well for an established reliever. Gabe Kapler has already came out and said that he won’t have a designated 9th inning role for 2019, but going off of how he didn’t trust Dominguez at the end of the year, and their reliever with the best arsenal, I would assume Robertson will eventually take over by the end of the year or the all-star break.

This happening doesn’t affect the probability of the Braves winning the NL East, which will HOPEFULLY happen, but it obviously helps the Phillies close out some games and not have to sweat bullets everytime they send someone out they are not too sure about. Overall this is a low risk high reward for the Phillies and they should be happy they landed the talent they did in Robertson. However, they still have to play the great Atlanta Braves, but against the Marlins, Mets, and the Nationals he should be fine.

P.S. Forgot to mention Brian McCann coming back to Atlanta. Welcome back babe. With open arms we cannot wait to have you back calling pitches.