Inside The Cubs

Should the Cubs Re-Sign David Robertson in Free Agency?

The Chicago Cubs are will need to bring in some bullpen help this winter, could a reunion with David Robertson in free agency make sense?

Kade Kistner

Should the Cubs Re-Sign David Robertson in Free Agency?
Should the Cubs Re-Sign David Robertson in Free Agency? /
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The Chicago Cubs need bullpen help entering the 2023 MLB season. Every team in baseball does, but the Cubs should be looking for arms that can make an impact on the season beyond just eating innings.

Last season, their best relief arm was David Robertson. He was so effective in the first half that he became the most coveted reliever on the trade market ahead of last season's trade deadline. 

The Philadelphia Phillies ponied up and sent one of their coveted pitching prospects, Ben Brown, as the return for Robertson who was just a rental.

Robertson is now a free agent and looking for a home. Even after his departure from the Cubs, Robertson still pitched to a 2.70 ERA with a 1.371 WHIP. He wasn't as dominant as he was in Chicago for the first half of the season, but still effective for the Phillies down the stretch. A large part of that is likely due to some fatigue he experienced later in the season.

However, he will still find a new contract this winter, even if it is a one or two year deal. The Cubs would be wise to kick the tires on Robertson as he could help in late inning situations and his services would likely not come at an exorbitant price considering he is 37-years-old.

Something in the neighborhood of two-years and $14 million could get the job done. He would provide Chicago with a reliable backend bullpen arm, veteran mentorship, and wouldn't break the bank.

Plus, if all goes wrong for the Cubs next season, Robertson could once again be used as a trade chip much like he was last year.

It's worth exploring. 

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

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  2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
  3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
  4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
  5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
  6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
  7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
  8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
  9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
  10. Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field?

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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