He once looked like an ideal candidate to return to the Chicago Cubs in 2025, but thankfully the bullpen has turned into a strength since April and David Robertson wasn’t really a top priority anymore. The former Cubs’ closer is back in the National League as the 40-year-old has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Robertson did well on the contract and will earn about $5.5 million for the rest of the 2025 season. That comes out to a prorated salary of $16 million for the veteran reliever.

Right-handed reliever David Robertson and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a one-year deal, as @Ken_Rosenthal reported. Robertson will receive more than $5 million for the rest of the season on his deal, which is for a prorated $16 million. Phillies need RP badly.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 20, 2025

Despite his age Robertson was really good with the Texas Rangers in 2024. The right-hander recorded a 3.00 ERA and struck out 99 batters in 72 innings of work. The Cubs did show interest in a reunion with Robertson this past offseason, but he was ultimately out of their price range.

Offseason Interest in Signing David Robertson

The Chicago Cubs were actively looking to add one or multiple(?) high-leverage relievers. They ended up trading for Ryan Pressly, but veteran David Robertson was also on their radar this past offseason.

According to Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine, Robertson had been in talks with the Cubs about a reunion. Back in 2022, Robertson signed a one-year deal on the North Side following his first season back from Tommy John surgery. The long-time reliever had a resurgence in the past three seasons and as he prepares to enter his age-40 season in 2025, Robertson appeared to be in talks with to return to the Cubs.

Ageless David Robertson has talked to Cubs about returning as a backend bullpen man. Robertson is one of the few players who does not use an agent.Cubs had interest in Paul Seward before he signed with Cleveland.Robby pitched for Cubs in 2022.99 K in 72 innings in 24.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 24, 2025

Robertson missed almost all of the 2019 season, did not return in 2020 and was limited to 12 innings with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, when the reliever was fully recovered from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs signed him to a deal worth $3.5 million in guaranteed money and $1.5 million in incentives.

After recording a 2.23 ERA and 14 saves with the Cubs in 36 appearances Robertson was traded to the Phillies for pitching prospect Ben Brown. Robertson finished the year with a 2.40 ERA in 63.2 innings between his time in Chicago and Philadelphia. Since then, the righty has pitched for the New York Mets, Miami Marlins and spent last season with the Texas Rangers.

Despite his age, Robertson has been one of the most consistent relievers in the game during the past three years.

David Robertson 2022-24
2022: 63.2 IP, 2.40 ERA, 30.7 K%, 13.3 BB%, 1.16 WHIP
2023: 65.1 IP, 3.03 ERA, 29.0 K%, 9.3 BB%, 1.19 WHIP
2024: 72 IP, 3.00 ERA, 33.4 K%, 9.1 BB%, 1.11 WHIP

Those 2024 numbers were elite, 99 strikeouts ranked sixth most among all relievers and Robertson’s 33.4 K% was actually well ahead of Tanner Scott’s 28.6 K%.