The Chicago White Sox are in the opening phases of a re-tooling, if not rebuilding, phase. Every move that new GM Chris Getz makes this winter must be able to improve the organization in 2025 and beyond. With this goal in mind, many focus on a Dylan Cease trade. However, Getz must concentrate on bringing in players that will likely bring back prospects at this summer’s trade deadline.
As the White Sox know from last season, contending teams always look for arms at the deadline. After trading away multiple relievers the previous summer, the Sox have openings in the bullpen for established, high-upside arms. While a Josh Hader-type of signing is not likely, plenty of affordable, high-leverage, tradable relievers are currently available. One name that fits the bill ideally is old friend David Robertson.
The White Sox Should Sign David Robertson
Robertson pitched great in 2023 with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins. In his age-38 seasons, Robertson tossed 65.1 innings with a 3.03 ERA (143 ERA+) and 18 saves.
Despite his age, Robertson struck hitters out (29 strikeout percentage) and missed bats (31.2 Whiff percentage) at an elite rate. At the same time, his walk rate was slightly above league average at 9.3 percent; his great strikeout and ground ball rates (44.2 percent) made up for it.
And the ballgame is over!
David Robertson gets a double play to end it! pic.twitter.com/ysrJIT0XaT
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 1, 2023
The White Sox bullpen is filled with young question marks. Robertson will add immense value as a battle-tested, versatile arm that can handle any situation. While he could efficiently serve as the closer, manager Pedro Grifol can get creative and use him in high-leverage situations before the ninth inning. He can close, set up for someone like Gregory Santos, or put out fires in the mid-innings.
The White Sox would greatly benefit from Robertson’s on-field production. However, the team would benefit more by adding intriguing prospects in a trade. Over the past two seasons, the veteran has stayed healthy and pitched 129 innings with a 2.72 ERA (156 ERA+) with 159 strikeouts and 60 walks.
Additionally, he’s been traded at both years’ deadlines for what is now the Chicago Cubs’ sixth-best prospect and the Mets’ eighth and twentieth. Both Mets prospects are 20 or younger and expect to climb the rankings as they develop quickly.
Robertson represents a reliable arm (an uncommon trait in relievers) that projects immense value in July. As seen last summer and likely through a Cease trade, the White Sox must continue adding young talent to the organization. If Getz is unwilling to trade Luis Robert, then signing a guy like Robertson with the intention of nailed-flipping him is the best way to push the rebuild along.
The limitations on David Robertson's usage are what they are, but it's worth it from the Mets' perspective if he continues to be nails. So far this season:
▪13.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 18 K
▪0.68 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
▪6/6 in save opportunities, plus two holds pic.twitter.com/TzaC7Jkbp6— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) May 1, 2023
The biggest red flag with Robertson’s profile is his age. He will be 39 in early April and will no longer be effective at some point. However, he has a reputation for caring for his body and relying on intelligence, not stuff, to retire hitters. These traits help older pitchers last longer, and Robertson is worth the risk on an expected one-year deal. His stats and underlying metrics raised no red flags that would indicate serious regression in 2024.
He signed for $10 million last winter and likely will cost around the same. Ownership typically shows an unwillingness to spend much money, and it’s unclear how much Getz can spend this winter. However, signing Robertson is the move the White Sox must immediately jump on.
Main Photo Credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
