Phillies Stay or Go: David Robertson

Let us look back at Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers: Rob Thomson calls upon 40-year-old reliever David Robertson with two outs in the sixth in relief of Cristopher Sanchez. In theory, the hope was for Robertson to get just that one out and escape the sixth with just the two runs Sanchez allowed. Robertson did just that.

Then, in the seventh, Robertson reemerges from the dugout and takes the mound. He allowed a full-count single to Andy Pages and then clipped Will Smith with a curveball. Two on, no one out for the top of the Dodgers’ order.

Thomson, two pitches too late, yanks Robertson, and that is likely the last we will ever see from him in a Phillies uniform.

Three batters later, the Dodgers took the lead and held onto the series from that point forward.

“David Robertson’s not gonna be back with us to start the season,” Dave Dombrowski informed at the Phils’ end-of-season press conference. “I don’t think he wants to pitch in the beginning of the season anymore throughout his lifespan.” 

The Phillies signed Robertson in August after he had not played all season, coming off a solid year with Texas. It was Robertson’s third stint with the Phils, and it featured recording the save in Los Angeles on September 15 to secure the NL East title. However, he recorded a 4.08 ERA in 20 appearances.

Dombrowski made my decision pretty easy:

FINAL VERDICT: GO

I anticipate Robertson, who will go into his 18th season in Major League Baseball in 2026, will pitch for a competitive team next year. It just likely will not be in Philadelphia.

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