The hard-throwing right-handed reliever, who represented himself in talks with the Phillies, signed a 2-year $21 million contract with an option for a third year at $12 million.
He's 34 and has thrown at least 60 innings in each of the last 9 seasons, and has a career strikeout rate of 11.97 per 9 innings, the highest of any pitcher with at least 600 innings pitched.
He'll be a reliable option for manager Gabe Kapler in the late innings. The Phillies had been looking for a left-handed reliever, but Robertson held left-handed hitters to a .176 batting average in 132 plate appearances in 2018. According to Brooks Baseball, Robertson throws a knuckle curve (84 mph), cut fastball (93 mph), and a hard slider (87 mph).
Robertson and his wife, Erin, also founded High Socks for Hope, a nonprofit that strives to create long-term relief for natural disaster survivors and homeless, disabled, or destitute veterans.
He's durable, consistent, and gives the Phillies a veteran, playoff-tested arm in the bullpen. This is a fantastic signing by GM Matt Klentak.
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