The necessity of a solid bullpen during a postseason push and run is well understood by Marlins general manager Kim Ng, who spent no time bolstering it before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
Late Thursday night, the Marlins acquired Mets closer David Robertson in exchange for prospects Marco Vargas and Ronald Hernández. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Miami will take up the remaining $3.5 million owing to Robertson this season.
Miami has acquired a reliever for the third time this week. The team traded Dylan Floro for Minnesota righty Jorge López, who has one year of arbitration remaining. Because of his tremendous prospective, he is seen as a bounceback candidate with a change of setting. The Marlins acquired lefty José Castillo from the Padres for monetary considerations on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.
“For me, it was really important,” Ng said on Friday. “It was critical to get something done quickly.” For me, the bullpen was the most important thing, and making sure we stabilised and finished it swiftly before — it’s so easy to be cherry-picked at this period. And, as I previously said, if you find something you like and it makes sense, you simply do it.”
In 40 appearances in 2023, Robertson is 14-for-17 in save chances, with a 2.05 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. His Statcast percentile values for fastball spin (100th), xERA (92nd), xBA (89th), and barrel percentage (83rd) are all significantly above average.
The 15-year MLB journeyman has 171 career saves, including one as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series. Robertson, like Jorge Soler and Yuli Gurriel, has a World Series ring from the 2009 Yankees. His 41 career playoff appearances are second only to Kenley Jansen among current players.
“We got a pretty good guy last night,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “He’s been there before: closer, on a bigger stage, and with a lot of postseason experience.” This year has been another terrific year for him; he gets righties and lefties out and is particularly effective against lefties. Experience in the ninth inning. In terms of his part, you’ll probably see him in the end. With A.J. [Puk] and Tanner [Scott] both having some ninth-inning experience, David has a decent chance of becoming the man. He won’t be able to pitch every ninth inning, but I believe you’ll see him in that capacity for sure.”
Strengthening the bullpen helps shorten games for a team like the Marlins, who play a lot of tight and low-scoring games. After finishing the first half with a 3.87 xFIP (third in MLB) and 3.2 WAR (ninth), Miami’s relievers have struggled in the second half with a 4.29 xFIP (15th) and -0.1 WAR (24th). Despite losing nine of their last 11 games since the All-Star break, the Marlins remain half a game off of an NL Wild Card place.
Robertson, 38, will join the team for Saturday’s encounter against the Tigers at LoanDepot Park.
“[The Marlins] have a lot of talent as well,” Robertson told reporters in New York late Friday. “All you have to do is get in.” Purchase a ticket to the dance and watch what happens. Look at us with the Phillies last year: we weren’t the greatest team, but we hit a hot streak at the perfect moment and came close to winning the World Series.”
Robertson strengthens the relieving corps, which was in need of additional right-handed high-leverage weapons. Puk, Scott, Steven Okert, and Andrew Nardi are all southpaws who should return from the disabled list shortly. JT Chargois, Huascar Brazoban, and López are all Republicans.
The Marlins sent 18-year-old infielder Vargas (No. 18 prospect) and 19-year-old catcher Hernández (No. 21 prospect) in exchange for Robertson, a rental player with an expiring deal. Both are in the Florida Complex League’s Rookie Division.
“It hasn’t been the most enjoyable part of the year, for sure,” Robertson said of being the target of trade rumours. “No offence to you guys, but coming in and everyone asking where you’re going and what your thoughts are, it’s a lot to deal with, and still go out there and compete between the lines, knowing you might not be on this team for very long.”
“I’ve just tried to deal with it, stay calm and collected, make pitches, and do my job on the team that pays me to play for them.
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