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The Rangers agree with David Robertson on a one-year deal in the range of $11-12MM, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports (link). The contract is pending a physical examination. Jon Heyman of the New York Post (link) first reported this afternoon that Texas was showing interest in the right-hander, who represents himself.
Robertson split the 2023 campaign between a pair of NL East clubs. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Mets. Initially considered a setup man, he was pushed into the ninth inning by the Edwin Diaz injury. Robertson’s time in Queens ended up shorter than he or the team imagined as the club quickly fell out of contention. That wasn’t his fault, as Robertson had an excellent 40-game run as a Met.
He pitched 44 innings with a 2.05 ERA, striking out nearly 28% of opposing batters. For the second straight summer, Robertson was one of the top relievers signed at the deadline. New York dealt him to the Marlins for a pair of low minor prospects (Mark Vargas and Ronald Hernandez).
While Miami surprisingly stayed in contention and clinched a wild card spot, Robertson wasn’t immediately effective. He had a rough first month in South Florida, allowing 13 runs (10 earned) with six walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 innings in August. Miami removed him from the closer’s position at the end of that month. Robertson responded with a much better September, striking out 19 and allowing just two runs in his final 10 1/3 frames.
Despite the struggle early in the second half, the former All-Star had another productive year. He finished the season with a 3.03 ERA in 65 1/3 innings. Robertson fanned an above-average 29% of batters against a manageable 9.3% walk rate. He missed bats on a solid 12.6% of his total bids.
The Rangers have made no secret of their desire to add to the bullpen. Texas had been among the countries considered favorites for Hector Neris, arguably the best unsigned relief pitcher. They were also linked to Ryan Brasier a couple of weeks ago. Robertson, who will turn 39 in April, is available on a one-year contract. Neris and Brasier each have a two-year opportunity, and Neris will likely surpass the overall guarantee Robertson got.
Robertson is the second free agent bullpen acquisition of the offseason for general manager Chris Young and his front office. The Inked Rangers Kirby Yates to a $4.5 million deal during the Winter Meetings. Texas lost a trio of bullpen arms in free agency. Aroldis Chapman, Will Smith and Chris Stratton They have all landed somewhere else. That left the relief group as the most unstable part of the defending champions’ roster. Robertson and Yates join forces Josh Sborz as bridge options to approach Jose Leclerc. Texas could still add a lefty later brock burke resulted in a middling 2023 season.
List resource It projects its payroll for 2024 to be around $210 million, not counting Robertson. He will take them to the range of $221-222 million. More importantly, the deal takes them into luxury tax territory. Texas had approximately $231 million in TCC obligations prior to this signing. That will go beyond the $240 million mark, surpassing the base threshold of $237 million. Texas exceeded the CBT threshold last season, so they will pay increasing penalties for the second consecutive year of payments. The Rangers pay a 32% tax rate for spending between $237 million and $257 million.
The tax for Robertson’s signing is quite modest. He will land in the $2 million range. The most significant impact could be on future tax liabilities incurred on future acquisitions. They’ve had a fairly quiet offseason amid uncertainty over their broadcast deal with Diamond Sports Group, but they’re gearing up for another showdown with the Astros atop the American League West.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.