Newly acquired Robertson to get bulk of save chances with Marlins
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MIAMI -- Marlins general manager Kim Ng understands the importance of a reliable bullpen during a playoff push and run, so she wasted no time upgrading it before Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
The Marlins acquired Mets closer David Robertson for prospects Marco Vargas and Ronald Hern¨¢ndez late Thursday night. Miami will pick up the remaining $3.5 million still owed to Robertson this season, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
TRADE DETAILS
Marlins get: RHP David Robertson
Mets get: INF Marco Vargas, C Ronald Hern¨¢ndez
This marked the third time this week Miami has added a reliever. On Wednesday, the club swapped Dylan Floro for Minnesota righty Jorge L¨®pez, who has one final year of arbitration. He is considered a bounceback candidate with a change of scenery because of his high upside. On Tuesday, the Marlins received lefty Jos¨¦ Castillo from the Padres in exchange for cash considerations, then optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.
"For me, it was really important," Ng said on Friday. "It was really important to get something done quickly. For me, the bullpen was the highest priority, and making sure that we stabilize and to get it done quickly before -- it's so easy to get cherry-picked during this time. And like I said, if you see something you really like, and it makes sense, you just do it."
Robertson is 14-for-17 in save opportunities in 2023, with a 2.05 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 40 appearances. His Statcast percentile rankings are well above average across the board: fastball spin (100th), xERA (92nd), xBA (89th) and barrel percentage (83rd).
The 15-year MLB veteran has 171 career saves, including one in the 2022 World Series as a member of the Phillies. Robertson joins Jorge Soler and Yuli Gurriel as members of the roster with a World Series ring (¡¯09 Yankees). His 41 career postseason appearances rank second among active players, trailing only Kenley Jansen.
"The guy that we got last night's pretty good," manager Skip Schumaker said. "He's been there before: closer, big stage, lots of postseason experience. Having another great year this year, gets righties and lefties out, really good against lefties. Ninth-inning experience. As far as role, you'll see him late, probably the latest. With A.J. [Puk] and Tanner [Scott] both having some ninth-inning experience, David will have a really good shot of being the ninth-inning guy. He's not going to be able to throw every single ninth inning, but I think you'll see him in that closing role for sure."
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For a club like the Marlins that plays plenty of close and low-scoring games, strengthening the bullpen helps shorten them. After posting a 3.87 xFIP (third in MLB) and 3.2 WAR (ninth) in the first half, Miami's relievers have struggled in the second half with a 4.29 xFIP (15th) and -0.1 WAR (24th). The Marlins are half a game out of an NL Wild Card spot despite dropping nine of their 11 games since the All-Star break.
The 38-year-old Robertson joined the ballclub for Saturday's game against the Tigers at loanDepot park.
"I guess I better be pretty ready," Robertson said on Saturday. "Listen, that's part of it. When you get traded somewhere, everyone expects you to step right in there and get the job done. It's not my first time being traded, so I'll suit up tonight and give it everything I've got and hope it works out."
Robertson bolsters the relief corps, which needed more right-handed high-leverage arms. Puk, Scott, Steven Okert and Andrew Nardi, who should return from the injured list soon, are all southpaws. JT Chargois, Huascar Brazoban and L¨®pez are righties.
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In exchange for Robertson, a rental piece with an expiring contract, the Marlins shipped 18-year-old infielder Vargas (No. 18 prospect) and 19-year-old catcher Hern¨¢ndez (No. 21). Both are playing in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.
"I'm excited about it," Robertson said. "It's a great opportunity. Got a good squad here, played against them. It's been a long time since we played against them. But we've got the right talent in this room, heading in the right direction, so hopefully we can continue to do that."