David Robertson Looking Like Valuable Trade Chip

The New York Mets are in a precarious position leading up to the trade deadline on Aug. 1. They infused the tiniest bit of hope back into the fanbase with a six-game winning streak at the beginning of July but are 1-4 since and sit 8.5 games out of the final National League wild card spot with a 43-50 record. There have been mixed signals from the front office about what direction they plan on taking the roster in over the coming weeks, but it would be irrational to think they’ll be anything but sellers.

It’s anyone’s best guess as to who the Mets actually make available in trade talks. It feels as though Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are long shots considering their contract situations and the team’s need for starters over the next few seasons. Pete Alonso would fetch a king’s ransom, but dealing him away would upset the fan base and clubhouse alike. The most likely scenario is that the Mets focus on offloading their expiring contracts not to compromise their ability to compete in 2024 and beyond. Players like Tommy Pham, Mark Canha (club option for 2024) and Brooks Raley (club option for 2024) all fit into that category and could realistically fetch solid returns, but David Robertson stands above the rest as the team’s top trade piece.

It’s hard to overstate just how crucial Robertson has been to the Mets this season. He’s filled in for Edwin Díaz admirably in the closer role with a 2.06 ERA, 0.6 fWAR, and 10.53 K/9 across 36 appearances. He’s also set to be one of the top rental bullpen arms on the market as a result and for good reason. Robertson’s xERA of 3.06, .208 xBA and .275 xwOBA against are all well above-average, as is his whiff percentage of 32.7%. His 2.52 BB/9 rate is on pace to be his lowest in any season since 2015, and he’s also drawing more swings on pitches out of the zone than ever before in his career. Robertson’s cutter, which has a RV/100 of 3.1 and a batting average against of .143, has transformed into an elite pitch and has been a boon for his success this season.

Robertson’s postseason success shouldn’t be ignored, either. The 38-year-old was part of the World Series-winning 2009 New York Yankees and has racked up eight years of playoff experience, pitching in 41 games across 17 different series with a 2.78 ERA. Along with his regular season prowess, there aren’t many relievers that bring more to the table than Robertson, especially as a deadline acquisition.

David Robertson has been the Mets’ most reliable reliever and one of their most important players as a whole this season, but trading him has to be a priority at the deadline considering the current state of the team. He’s built upon his already impressive resume so far this year. He fits the bill of an impact acquisition at the backend of any bullpen, meaning he’s likely to draw a bevy of suitors and bring back a quality package in a deal.

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