Marlins trade for closer David Robertson

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 Hernández 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.

This marked the third time this week Miami has added a reliever. On Wednesday, the club swapped Dylan Floro for Minnesota righty Jorge López, 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 José 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.”

TRADE DETAILS
Marlins get: RHP David Robertson
Mets get: INF Marco Vargas, C Ronald Hernández

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.”

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 will join the ballclub for Saturday’s game against the Tigers at loanDepot park.

“[The Marlins have] got a lot of talent, too,” Robertson told reporters in New York overnight Friday. “All you’ve got to do is get in. Twelve teams get in. Get a ticket to the dance, see what happens. Look at us with Philly last year: We were not the best team, but we got hot at the right time and almost won a World Series.”

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 López are righties.

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 Hernández (No. 21). Both are playing in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.

“It’s not been the funnest part of the year, that’s for sure,” Robertson said about being the subject of trade rumors. “No offense to you guys, but when you come in and everyone’s asking where you’re going and what’re your thoughts, it’s a lot to deal with, and still go out there and compete in between the lines, knowing that you might not be on this team for very long.

“I’ve just tried to deal with it and stay calm and collected and make pitches and do what I’m supposed to do on the team that’s paying me to play for them. Now, I’m being moved, and I’m going to go down and enjoy my time in Miami, and join another group of guys that are trying to win ballgames.”