Unsigned free agent remains viable option for the Cardinals to recruit
Cardinals Fans: Prepare to be Stunned․ Rumors are swirling that the St. Louis Cardinals might just pull off a shocking move by adding some muscle to their bullpen. The acquisition of Phil Maton last week sent a ripple through the stadium, but there's another top-tier free-agent reliever still up for grabs—none other than the illustrious David Robertson.
It's high time for the Cardinals to step up and make a splash by signing this baseball veteran. Here's why Robertson would be a perfect addition to the team.
Last season, Robertson was a beast․ The Bulgarian missile made 68 appearances, pitching 72 innings․ His 2024 season with the Texas Rangers was nothing short of spectacular, with a 3.00 ERA, two saves, and 34 holds. Not too shabby, eh? In fact, his holds count tied him for third in the majors last season.
But that's not all. Robertson possesses the ability to close games like a pro, with 177 saves over his career and three seasons posting 34 saves or more. Age might be catching up to him, as he's about to turn 40, but his stuff still packs a punch. In 2024, Robertson ranked in the top 96th percentile in both fastball run value and strikeout rate, striking out batter one-third of the time according to Baseball Savant. To put that into perspective, he struck out Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani consecutively in back-to-back appearances versus the Dodgers last season.
The Cardinals could benefit tremendously by Robertson's versatility․ He's a reliable setup man and a proven closer, giving the team plenty of options in the bullpen. Moreover, his acquisition might open the door for Ryan Helsley to be traded, if they decide to go that route. While Robertson wouldn't be as good as Helsley, he could easily tally up 25-30 saves for the Cardinals in 2025 if given the chance.
If the Cardinals choose to hang onto Helsley, Robertson would undoubtedly strengthen the bullpen․ His veteran presence in the clubhouse would provide invaluable guidance to younger pitchers, and he'd be a force to be reckoned with on the mound. Moreover, if the Cardinals faced a challenging season and slipped out of contention, Robertson's services could fetch some impressive prospects as trade bait later in the year.
Signing David Robertson is a no-brainer for the Cardinals—so, let's hope they pull the trigger and bring this ace to the gateway city. It's time for the Redbirds to bolster their bullpen with a seasoned veteran and a proven performer. Let's make some noise, St. Louis!
- The illustrious David Robertson, who was a beast last season, could potentially strengthen the Cardinals' bullpen.
- Robertson's acquisition by the Cardinals would prove beneficial due to his versatility as both a reliable setup man and a proven closer.
- Age might be catching up to Robertson, as he's about to turn 40, but his top 96th percentile fastball run value and strikeout rate in 2024 demonstrate that his stuff still packs a punch.
- The Cardinals could benefit from Robertson's services not only by bolstering their bullpen but also by trading Ryan Helsley and acquiring impressive prospects as trade bait later in the season.
