{"id":9253,"date":"2024-01-25T19:16:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T03:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=9253"},"modified":"2024-01-25T19:16:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T03:16:21","slug":"david-robertson-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2024\/01\/25\/david-robertson-rangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers, David Robertson Agree to Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Texas Rangers<\/a>‘ pursuit of pitching continued on Thursday afternoon, as they agreed to terms with right-handed reliever David Robertson<\/strong><\/a>. The deal, which is pending a physical, is for one year in the $11-12 million range, reports Jeff Passan<\/a> of ESPN. The Rangers have recently shown\u00a0interest in Robertson, according to Jon Heyman<\/a> of the New York Post.<\/em><\/p>\n

Switching Leagues<\/h4>\n

David Robertson split time with two NL East teams in 2023. He originally signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the New York Mets<\/a>. Initially tabbed as a setup man, he was pushed into the closer’s role by the Edwin D\u00edaz<\/a><\/strong> injury. Robertson\u2019s time in Queens ended up briefer than he or the team envisioned because the club quickly fell out of contention. That wasn\u2019t any fault of his, as Robertson had an excellent 40-game run as a member of the Mets.<\/p>\n

Robertson threw 44 innings with a 2.05 ERA, striking out nearly 28% of opposing hitters. For a second straight summer, he was one of the better rental relievers at the deadline. The Mets flipped him to the Miami Marlins<\/a> for minor league prospects Marco Vargas<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Ronald Hernandez<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Late Game Struggles<\/h4>\n

While the Marlins secured a Wild Card berth, Robertson wasn\u2019t immediately effective. He had a tough first month in South Florida, allowing 13 runs, 10 earned, with six walks and 10 strikeouts over 10 innings in August. He was taken out of the closer\u2019s role towards the end of that month. Robertson responded with a much better September, striking out 19 while allowing two runs over his final 10 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n

Despite his issues early in the second half, the former All-Star had another productive year. He finished the season with an ERA of 3.03 through 65 1\/3 innings. Robertson fanned an above-average 29% of batters faced against a manageable 9.3% walk rate. He missed bats on 12.6% of his overall offerings.<\/p>\n

Much Needed Help<\/h4>\n

It’s no secret that the Rangers’ goal was to add to their bullpen this winter. They had been among the perceived frontrunners for H\u00e9ctor Neris<\/a><\/strong>, one of the top unsigned relief pitchers. They were also recently linked to Ryan Brasier<\/a><\/strong>. Robertson, who turns 39 in April, is available on a one-year pact. Neris and Brasier each have a shot at two years, with Neris likely to top the overall guarantee that Robertson secured.<\/p>\n

Robertson is the second free agent relief acquisition of the offseason for GM Chris Young and his front office. The Rangers inked Kirby Yates<\/a><\/strong> to a $4.5 million deal during the Winter Meetings. They lost a trio of relievers to free agency. Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Will Smith<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Chris Stratton<\/a><\/strong> have all landed elsewhere. That left the relief corps as the shakiest part of the defending champions\u2019 roster. Robertson and Yates join Josh Sborz<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0as bridge options to closer\u00a0Jos\u00e9 Leclerc<\/a><\/strong>. The Rangers could still stand to add a left-hander after Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0turned in a middling 2023 season.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>