Less than two hours before the trade deadline ended, the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies came to an agreement. 37-year-old relief pitcher David Robertson will be moving to the city of brotherly love, while 22-year-old pitching prospect Ben Brown will join an increasingly deep Cubs farm system. The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Robertson Regains His Form in ‘22.
When the Cubs signed David Robertson this offseason to a one-year deal, it was clear what both parties were hoping to get out of it. For the Cubs, they were hoping to gain a solid bullpen arm that they could later use as a trade chip at the deadline. For Robertson, it was a one-year deal to prove that he could still contribute at the major league level, despite only pitching in 12 games over the past two seasons.
In 12 games during the 2021 season, never factoring into the W/L decision, he posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP for the Tampa Bay Rays. Robertson did not play at all during the 2020 Covid-19 shortened season. Considering what both sides were hoping to get out of this deal, one could say it was a win-win for both sides. The Cubs get another prospect to develop, while Robertson gets to pitch for a team in a wild card race.
As previously stated, Robertson has pitched for Philadelphia before. The last time the Phillies had Robertson in their bullpen, he only had seven appearances. His stat line consisted of a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA and a whopping 2.10 WHIP. Luckily, he seems to have regained his former strengths. In 36 games this season, Robertson possesses a 3-0 record to go along with 14 saves. He also carries a 2.23 ERA, 1.041 WHIP, and has struck out 51 batters. The Phillies currently have a respectable bullpen, so one could assume that Robertson will share late-inning appearances with the likes of Corey Knebel, Brad Hand, and Seranthony Dominguez.
Another Trade Deadline Pitching Prospect for Chicago
Shortly after being drafted in the 33rd round of the 2017 draft, Ben Brown, unfortunately, had to receive Tommy John surgery, but that didn’t seem to slow down his development and progression. The 6’6″ 22-year-old persevered to earn a spot on the Phillies’ Top 30 prospect list. His arsenal currently consists of a fastball that can reach as high as 98 mph, a slider that can top out at 90 mph, as well as a mid-80s curveball. Some believe he has the ceiling to be a starting pitcher, while others feel that he might be suited for a shorter bullpen role.
Brown joins a growing list of Cubs pitching prospects that includes Caleb Kilian, Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, DJ Herz, and Brailyn Marquez.
Read more of the latest trade deadline moves from Last Word On Sports:
Eric Hosmer Traded to the Red Sox
Padres Trade for Juan Soto, Josh Bell in Blockbuster Deal
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Players Mentioned:
David Robertson, Ben Brown, Caleb Kilian, Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, DJ Herz, Brailyn Marquez, Corey Knebel, Brad Hand, Seranthony Dominguez
