David

Robertson

Robertson is now a free agent. The 39-year-old was a solid part of the Texas bullpen with a 3.00 ERA over 68 appearances and a 99/27 K/BB across 72 innings. He should see interest on a short-term deal from a variety of bullpen-needy clubs.

Robertson needed only 19 pitches to get through the two frames, and he struck out two without allowing a walk. The 39-year-old has procured two saves in 2024 while serving mostly as the setup hurler for Kirby Yates, and he’s done a solid job at it as seen in a 3.02 ERA.

Kirby Yates wound up with the win after pitching scoreless eighth and ninth innings. It’s a good reminder that even though Robertson was bypassed in favor of Yates after José Leclerc was removed from the closing gig, he’s still intriguing in mixed leagues. He has a 1.02 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings.

Robertson came in with a man on in the seventh and retired back-to-back batters to preserve a one-run lead then. He then got the first out of the eighth, only to give up a run on a single, a groundout that advanced the runner and another single that barely eluded Corey Seager. It went as his second blown save. He’s allowed just two runs in 10 2/3 innings, and he remains a threat for saves in the Texas pen, but it seems like manager Bruce Bochy prefers Kirby Yates right now.

The 30-year-old hurler entered the season as the Rangers’ closer, but after registering a 14.40 ERA, 2.40 WHIP and a 4/6 K/BB ratio over five innings, it was time for a change. LeClerc pitched a scoreless sixth inning on Friday — though he did still allow a hit and a walk. Expect David Robertson and Kirby Yates to handle the ball in the ninth inning for the time being.

It was a bit surprising that the Rangers elected to hold a closer competition this spring after Leclerc wrapped up last year in the role. The 30-year-old righty has looked sharp this spring in the Cactus League and appears to be ostensibly locked-in as the Rangers’ primary ninth-inning option. We can’t rule out veteran stopper David Robertson vulturing the occasional save chance, but it seems like Leclerc is in the proverbial driver’s seat for now. This latest development cements his status as a borderline top-20 closing option for fantasy managers.

Simply put, Bochy is refusing to name a closer at this stage of spring training. He noted that he hopes a closer will emerge during spring training and that he will anoint someone to handle save opportunities by Opening Day. At this juncture, it looks like it’ll be Leclerc and veteran David Robertson battling it out for save chances this spring.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Robertson, who turns 39 in April, will get $5 million this year, $5 million deferred to 2027-31 and a $7 million mutual option for 2025 that includes a $1.5 million buyout. While Robertson will probably set up for José Leclerc initially, it’s quite possible he’ll wind up leading the Rangers in saves this year. The 38-year-old, who ranks second among active pitchers with 793 career appearances, had a 3.03 ERA for the Mets and Marlins last season.

It’ll be worth $11 million-$12 million. Robertson is turning 39 in April, but his stuff hasn’t changed much through the year, and though he did falter for a time in the second half last season, he still wound up with a 3.03 ERA and a 78/25 K/BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings for the Mets and Marlins. He projects as the Rangers’ best reliever, though he might set up in front of José Leclerc initially.

Robertson is probably the best reliever available at this point, though Hector Neris backers could quibble, and he’d definitely be a threat to José Leclerc’s closing role. He’d be a good get for a pen that’s down Aroldis Chapman.