Seattle Mariners Trade-a-Day: David Robertson

The largest energy of the 2021 Mariners has turn out to be one of many group’s best liabilities in 2022. 

Seattle’s bullpen has struggled for lengthy stretches and it lacks each high-leverage choices and high quality middle-inning relievers. The group ought to get assist from inside—and shortly—as right-handers Erik Swanson and Ken Giles are each set to return to the pen within the coming days. And whereas it has been a tough couple of outings as of late, Sergio Romo’s observe file and former success would seemingly point out he is at the moment experiencing extra of a bump within the street than anything.  

However the group nonetheless wants authentic, skilled choices to name upon late in video games. Paul Sewald stays regular and Diego Castillo has been good in his final seven outings, however Andrés Muñoz and Matthew Festa have proven all kinds of prospects, and we can’t guess what Drew Steckenrider will appear to be as soon as/if he returns from his demotion to Triple-A Tacoma. 

The Mariners need assistance.

Fortunately, normal supervisor Jerry Dipoto has proven a knack for locating diamonds within the tough and constructing out bullpens on the fly, and there’s by no means any scarcity of aid choices out there in June and July. However maybe that is the yr Dipoto goes for a top-shelf choice, like veteran reliever David Robertson.

If you happen to’ve paid shut consideration to MLB up to now decade, you most likely keep in mind Robertson’s title. The longtime Yankee has been a fixture on main league rosters since 2008 and has carved out a formidable profession. The 37-year previous righty has appeared in 692 video games, posting a profession 11.95 Ok/9, 3.60 BB/9, 2.89 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 2.93 xFIP and 144 saves.

Robertson is definitely experiencing a little bit of a rebirth in 2022 after accidents worn out most of his 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. So far, he is appeared in 19 video games, protecting 21.2 innings, and the numbers have been exceptional. He is at the moment posting a 12.46 Ok/9, 3.74 BB/9 and a 1.93 FIP for the Cubs. 

Robertson deploys a real three-pitch combine: a cutter, curveball and slider. He is been so dominant this yr that he has but to permit successful on his slider and has allowed simply two hits on his curveball. He excels at creating vertical drop on his arsenal, and his cutter is exclusive in that it generates extra vertical drop than any within the sport. He does not have overpowering velocity (he tops out at 94 MPH), however he sits within the 92nd percentile in whiff charge and the 99th percentile in fastball spin. His Baseball Savant web page is extremely spectacular and paints the image of a reliever who has been nothing in need of dominant in 2022.

However together with the observe file and present success of Robertson comes a large market. Each group who fancies themselves a contender within the coming weeks will certainly have an interest, which makes buying the veteran, who’s a rental, a bit difficult for a fringe playoff contender like Seattle. The Mariners might want to really feel like Robertson goes to pitch within the playoffs for them to justify the doubtless price. 

One other complicating think about negotiations may be the Cubs themselves. They actually did not spend the offseason appearing like a group that desires to rebuild and it is doable they’d prioritize MLB expertise over prospect capital. 

It additionally makes a bulk deal much less doubtless—one thing the Mariners will certainly want to do. Have a look at what the Cubs obtained final July for Craig Kimbrel: two MLB gamers in Nick Madrigal and Cody Heuer. And whereas Kimbrel wasn’t a rental like Robertson, he did carry a big wage. 

However even factoring within the rental low cost, the price nonetheless may very well be hefty. The Mariners themselves snagged utility man Abraham Toro for 2 months of Kendall Graveman.

On the finish of the day, Robertson is probably going headed to a group that isn’t solely more likely to play in October, however one which believes it may possibly win the World Collection this yr. It is exhausting to think about the Mariners being ready to wish to outbid such a group. But when Dipoto decides to step in and go to battle, there are a number of choices for the Cubs to contemplate.

If we’re going to assume the Cubs need MLB expertise again for Robertson, outfielder Taylor Trammell, catcher Luis Torrens and Toro spring to thoughts. Torrens may be essentially the most fascinating, given the Cubs are doubtless buying and selling Willson Contreras this summer season and are with out a long-term reply at catcher. Now, Torrens hasn’t hit but and he isn’t a super on a regular basis choice, however he has answered numerous questions on his defensive talents and has confirmed to be a viable behind the dish. So if the Cubs consider within the bat, Torrens does carry stunning worth in commerce talks.

However for the Mariners to contemplate this transfer, they should be positive of some issues. 

Firstly, they should see a wholesome Tom Murphy. Buying and selling a viable large league catcher for a reliever to assist make a playoff push is mindless for Seattle. 

Second, the group must really feel like Cal Raleigh can deal with on a regular basis duties if wanted. You don’t fiddle with catcher depth. It is extremely exhausting to seek out. But when Seattle believes Raleigh can deal with the duties 40 p.c of the time in 2022 with out being a black gap on the plate and see Murphy again and wholesome earlier than July, the sort of deal may be doable.