Could Baseball’s Forgotten Free Agent Have a Home in Anaheim?
Apr 26, 2025 - Written by Kian Behravan
Photo Credit : @MLBTradeRumors - X
The Angels and bullpen struggles go together like milk and cookies. Year after year, the team loses games in high-leverage situations because relievers cannot step up. For the bulk of the 2020s, Mike Mayers was the problem. He was constantly put in stressful situations with little room for error, and couldn't produce. This problem is recurring in most Angels’ bullpen arms, but there’s one free agent who could potentially set them on the right track for the 2025 season.
David Robertson is a 40-year-old reliever who is still on the free-agent market. Don’t let his age fool you–Robertson threw 72 innings and posted a 3.00 ERA with the Rangers last year. In that 2024 season, he posted his second-lowest HR/9 (0.6) in his career and his highest K/9 (12.4) since 2017. In the leverage department, his BAA in high-leverage situations was an outstanding .214. In medium leverage, it dropped down to .154. He was primarily used as an 8th-inning guy, setting up then-closer Kirby Yates. The situations he faced are labeled as “late and close,” meaning “plate appearances in the 7th or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck” (Baseball Reference).
Why is nobody signing him in the first place?
Robertson came off a great season with the Rangers. He threw 68 games with a 3.00 ERA and set up one of the better closers in the league. He also did well in the previous two seasons, so it’s not a late-career fluke season. If he’s put up great numbers during the latter half of his career, why hasn't he been signed?
The obvious reason is age. Robertson recently celebrated his 40th birthday. Even with how old he is, he still put up acceptable numbers, posting one of the best strikeout rates in his career (33.4%). The truth is, teams don’t want to take the risk that the Rangers did, which was to put a lot of money towards a reliever approaching the end of his career. Robertson was guaranteed $11.5MM with the Rangers on a $10MM salary. This wasn’t outrageous, as ten relievers made those deals this past offseason. As Robertson is coming off a great season, he expects a high price tag, which most teams are not willing to pay at his age. If Robertson is willing to sacrifice up to half of his previous salary, teams will come knocking at his door.
Why the Angels need Robertson
The Angels have a track record of blowing games when the ball is handed to the bullpen. This year, however, the bullpen has just not shown up. The bullpen has just two pitchers with ERAs under 4, Reid Detmers (2.70) and Kenley Jansen (0.00), with Ryan Zeferjahn being the only pitcher, other than the two mentioned, to have an ERA+ over league average (108). Note: Stats are as of April 24th.
Right now, the Angel’s bats have been ice cold. The lineup hasn't been able to put up run support, leaving guys like Tyler Anderson, who’s been excellent this season, with no decisions or losses. Another example, relating to the Mike Mayers years, was former Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval, who had the best season of his career: 150 innings, a shutout, and a sub-3 ERA–all for a 6-9 record. This was due to the lack of authority in the bats, and it seems to be the same case for the Halos this year. As of April 24, Angels hitters have a slash line of .216 / .274 / .394. This puts them as the sixth-lowest team OPS+ in the league at 90. The only reason the team slugging is high is the amount of home runs they have; they’re in the bottom ten in doubles.
Robertson will not be the team’s closer, as that position has already been filled by Kenley Jansen, who has been doing a fantastic job. Instead, he will be used as a setup man or a guy to get out of jams. He’s been one of the best high-leverage relievers in his tenure and has plenty of great seasons from all stages in his career.
David Robertson is not going to provide run support for the Angels. What he is going to do, however, is keep the Angels in the ballgame when the bats can’t wake up. He’s a reliable bullpen arm who can also provide veteran leadership to the young pitchers on the staff. It’s a win-win situation for the Halos. If he does great, he does great. If it doesn’t pan out, he will share wisdom with all the young guns in the bullpen. If the organization is wise, David Robertson is a player they will pursue.
Disclaimer : (1) All photos are not owned by InsideHalos and have been given proper credit beneath each photo. (2) Links of players are property of MLB, MiLB, and Baseball Reference. (3) InsideHalos is a fan-made site not affiliated with Angels Baseball.
